As urban flooding intensifies with each monsoon, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has initiated random inspections of buildings citywide to ensure strict compliance with rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and green space preservation guidelines.
The enforcement drive, launched under the directives of the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, aims to enhance Guwahati’s urban climate resilience, manage water scarcity, and address environmental degradation caused by rapid urbanisation.
Mandatory Compliance Under Bylaws
The inspection and enforcement measures draw legal backing from the Guwahati Building Construction (Regulations) Bylaws, 2014, and the Assam Unified Building Construction (Regulation) Bylaws, 2022.
According to Section 111 of both bylaws, all commercial, residential, educational, and industrial buildings must:
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Install rainwater harvesting systems
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Build groundwater recharge pits
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Maintain designated green zones on their premises
Violations can lead to sealing of properties, revocation of occupancy certificates, and legal proceedings under the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act, 2017.
Why It Matters: Floods, Water Crisis, and Green Loss
“Buildings block the land, preventing rainwater from seeping into the earth. This increases runoff, which floods drains and low-lying areas,” said Suhel Yasir, Assistant Commissioner, GMC. “Proper rainwater harvesting and percolation pits reduce flood risk and replenish groundwater levels.”
GMC’s previous surveys found that most rainwater harvesting and recharge systems were either poorly constructed or entirely non-functional. Additionally, mandatory green areas, meant to cover at least 20% of land (or 10% in affordable housing projects), were often found repurposed for parking or construction, violating sanctioned plans.
The regulations also allow reduced green space in housing projects only when 25% of the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is allotted for affordable housing, a provision frequently overlooked by developers.
Free Rainwater Harvesting for Schools, EWS Homes
While the enforcement covers all buildings, GMC Mayor Mrigen Sarania announced a welfare measure: free installation of rainwater harvesting systems in all government schools and economically weaker section (EWS) households.
“This isn’t just a regulatory action; it’s a mission to make Guwahati future-ready,” said the mayor. “We’re protecting both the environment and vulnerable communities.”
Public Cooperation and Civic Responsibility
The GMC has urged citizens and builders to cooperate with inspectors and take proactive steps to comply with existing regulations. This includes:
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Regular maintenance of recharge pits
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Preservation of green zones in line with approved plans
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Timely self-reporting of installations to GMC records
The random inspections will be ongoing through the monsoon, and repeated non-compliance could lead to blacklisting of builders and other serious penalties.
Conclusion
As Guwahati grapples with urban flooding, poor drainage, and groundwater depletion, the GMC’s latest initiative reflects a decisive step toward enforcing environmental accountability. It also signals the growing importance of climate-adaptive urban planning, with citizens and institutions expected to play a key role in its success.
