Why CCTV Work Is Making Parts of Guwahati Unsafe

CCTV installation work across several Guwahati neighbourhoods has triggered safety concerns, as incomplete digging and poor restoration have left roads damaged and hazardous in areas such as Hatigaon, Basistha and Beltola.

While the project aims to improve public safety and surveillance, residents say the execution on the ground is making daily movement more dangerous.

More than 2,000 CCTV cameras are being installed across Guwahati as part of a city-wide surveillance upgrade, but stalled work and lack of coordination have turned several residential streets into risk zones.

What is going wrong with the CCTV project?

The CCTV expansion involves trenching roads to lay underground cables. In multiple Guwahati localities, trenches have been dug but not restored for weeks, leaving open pits, loose soil and broken road surfaces. Poor barricading and absence of warning signs have increased the risk for pedestrians, two-wheelers and cars.

Areas reporting problems

Residents and commuters have flagged issues in:

• Hatigaon – Open trenches and unfinished cable work
• Basistha – Broken road stretches and exposed wiring
• Beltola – Uneven surfaces causing traffic slowdowns

In Hatigaon, locals say work often starts suddenly and then stops midway, with no information on when roads will be repaired.

Impact on traffic and daily life

The damaged roads have worsened congestion and increased accident risk.

• Vehicles slow down abruptly near broken patches
• Traffic bottlenecks form during peak hours
• Traffic police deployed in Hatigaon struggle to manage the flow
• Auto-rickshaw and cab drivers report higher vehicle wear and tear

Commuters say frustration frequently spills over into road rage, even though the root cause lies in poor infrastructure management.

Residents’ concerns

People living in affected neighbourhoods stress that they are not opposing CCTV surveillance.

Their concerns focus on:

• Lack of coordination between departments and contractors
• No visible timelines for project completion
• Inadequate barricading and safety signage
• Poor or delayed road restoration

With the monsoon approaching, residents fear that waterlogging and further road collapse could make the situation worse.

Why this matters for Guwahati

Guwahati already struggles with traffic congestion, flooding and uneven roads. Infrastructure projects that remain incomplete add to these problems, increasing safety risks and eroding public trust.

Urban planners note that surveillance upgrades must go hand in hand with disciplined execution and strict accountability at the ward and contractor level.

What residents are demanding

Locals are urging authorities to:

• Resume stalled CCTV work immediately
• Ensure proper barricading and lighting at work sites
• Restore roads promptly after cable laying
• Share clear timelines for completion

They say improved safety cannot come at the cost of daily hazards.

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