Pulse of the polls: Civic woes dominate voter concerns in Dimoria

Guwahati, April 1: With just seven days to go for the Assembly elections, the spotlight has turned to the Dimoria constituency in Kamrup (M), where voters are voicing deep frustration over long-standing civic issues that continue to affect daily life.

In the fifth and final part of The Assam Tribune’s constituency watch series "Pulse of the Polls", ground interactions reveal a consistent pattern of unresolved basic infrastructure concerns, even as political activity intensifies.

Across several localities, residents identified deteriorating road conditions and poor drainage systems as their most pressing problems.

In areas such as Satgaon, voters said even light rainfall leads to artificial flooding, disrupting movement and daily routines.

“The condition of the main road in the Satgaon area is very poor, and the drainage system is inadequate. Whenever it rains, the area gets waterlogged. Despite repeated complaints, the roads remain unrepaired,” said Benonath Rai.

Residents navigate a muddy road, highlighting persistent drainage issues ahead of the elections

He added that water scarcity remains a major concern as well, with many areas lacking reliable supply.

“No one seems to understand our problems. Elections are approaching, but development on the ground is still missing,” he said.

Drinking water shortages have emerged as another critical issue in Dimoria, with several residents saying they are forced to purchase water due to the absence of functional pipelines.

Amal Goswami, a local resident, highlighted the burden, particularly on the elderly.

“There is no proper pipeline system, and we often have to buy water. It becomes extremely difficult for senior citizens. Authorities must address this urgently,” he said, adding that civic services such as garbage collection are also irregular.

“Promises are made during elections, but implementation remains weak,” he added.

Garbage piles up in parts of Dimoria as residents complain of irregular waste collection ahead of the elections

Echoing similar concerns, Rishmi Bora, another local resident, said the issues have persisted for years without resolution.

“There are multiple problems like leakages, artificial flooding and drinking water shortages. Even after so many years, nothing has been solved. Still, I will vote, hoping to choose someone who can actually address these issues,” she said.

In Puberun, residents described the drainage situation as particularly alarming. “There are no proper pipes, and during rains, water accumulates quickly, making commuting extremely difficult,” said Prabhad Chandra Das.

While expressing scepticism about political promises, he added, “Elections will come and go, but we will still vote. The hope is to elect someone who works for the people.”

Unattended waste and poor sanitation highlight civic gaps that continue to trouble voters in Dimoria

For many, the frustration lies not just in the problems, but in the lack of visible solutions.

Mina Boro summed up the prevailing sentiment well, “There are issues with water, drains and sanitation. Waste is often left unmanaged. These problems remain the same year after year, with no clear answers or action.”

As Dimoria heads to the polls, voices from the ground reflect a clear demand for accountability and tangible development.

While campaign narratives may dominate speeches, for voters in this Kamrup (M) constituency, the election remains rooted in everyday struggles.