A massive pipeline burst in the Chandmari area of Guwahati, Assam’s largest city, triggered widespread chaos early Thursday morning, severely damaging a key arterial road and causing major traffic disruptions. The incident, which occurred around 5:30 AM, led to the collapse of a section of the road, sending shockwaves across the city and highlighting serious concerns over Guwahati’s aging urban infrastructure.
According to eyewitnesses, the ground suddenly gave way with a loud noise, followed by a strong gush of water erupting from underground. Within minutes, water flooded the surrounding area, and the road caved in, leaving behind a massive crater. Several vehicles narrowly escaped being swept away, and commuters were forced to abandon their routes amid the rising water levels and damaged surface.
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Major Traffic Snarl and Safety Hazards
The Assam Police and Guwahati Traffic Department rushed to the spot and immediately cordoned off the affected area. All vehicular movement through Chandmari flyover and Rajgarh Road was halted as engineers and emergency response teams began damage assessment and repair work.
The pipeline that burst is part of the city’s old water supply network, operated by the Guwahati Jal Board, and is believed to have succumbed to long-term corrosion and pressure buildup. Officials stated that water supply in large parts of the city, including Zoo Road, Rajgarh, Chandmari, and parts of Ulubari, would be temporarily suspended until the damaged section is repaired.
Traffic in the already congested city came to a grinding halt, with several key routes diverted and bottlenecks reported from Panbazar, Ganeshguri, and GS Road. Morning commuters faced long delays, and schools in the vicinity either delayed classes or declared a holiday.
Local Residents in Distress
Local residents expressed frustration over the incident, claiming that repeated warnings about weak pipelines and poor maintenance had gone unheeded. “We have been complaining about water leakage and pressure surges for months, but no one listened. Today’s chaos could have been avoided,” said Ramen Das, a resident of Rajgarh.
Several ground-floor shops and homes in the area reported waterlogging, and power lines in the vicinity were temporarily shut down to avoid electrocution risks. Emergency teams were seen working with water pumps to drain flooded basements, while disaster response personnel assessed the risk of further collapse.
Authorities Launch Probe, Repair Work Begins
The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) have launched an urgent probe to determine the exact cause of the burst and the structural condition of the remaining pipelines in the area.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is currently in Delhi on an official visit, expressed concern and directed the city administration to take swift corrective measures. “I have asked officials to ensure the safety of residents and complete road restoration work at the earliest,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Preliminary reports indicate that the damaged pipeline may have been over three decades old and under constant high pressure due to urban expansion and increased demand. Experts are now calling for a comprehensive audit of Guwahati’s underground utility network, fearing that more such incidents could occur if urgent infrastructure upgrades are not undertaken.
Infrastructure Crisis in Focus
This latest incident has reignited the debate on Guwahati’s infrastructure preparedness amid rapid urbanization. Civic activists and urban planners have long warned that the city’s outdated pipeline systems, poor drainage, and lack of real-time monitoring make it vulnerable to such disasters.
“The Chandmari pipeline burst is not an isolated event—it’s a symptom of deeper neglect. Guwahati needs smart infrastructure backed by regular audits, pressure sensors, and predictive maintenance,” said Anupam Saikia, an urban development researcher.
A Wake-Up Call for Guwahati
As repair crews race against time to restore traffic and water supply, the Chandmari pipeline burst stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need to modernize Guwahati’s civic infrastructure. For now, residents and commuters are bracing for days of inconvenience, but experts warn that unless comprehensive reforms are initiated, such urban emergencies may become more frequent.
