As Guwahati grapples with waterlogged roads, local mechanics are experiencing a surge in business due to an increase in vehicle breakdowns.

Auto garages and repair shops across the city have reported a significant rise in customers seeking repairs for water-related damages, which often come with hefty price tags.

"Driving during the rainy season can prove costly. With streets getting waterlogged in an hour's rain, several vehicles have broken down due to technical snags," said Bimal Deka, a mechanic with a garage in Zoo Road Tiniali.

"On Monday, September 2nd, a car came in with engine damage after driving through a waterlogged area, causing an oil tank leak. The repair cost for a petrol engine is around Rs 30,000 to 35,000. For a diesel engine, this amount can double. Moreover, we are also seeing about 10 to 15 cars daily with suspension issues caused by waterlogging," Deka added.

Iftikar Hussain, who runs a garage in the Noonmati area, said, "We have seen an increase of 10 to 15 vehicles daily. Most are coming in with water-related damages."

He further said that although it was good for business, it was unfortunate that so many people are suffering because of the road conditions.

"The flood situation in Guwahati, instead of showing signs of improvement, is on the decline. If immediate measures are not taken by the administration, then the day is not far when even riding a bicycle would become costly in the city," Hussain added.

Chandan Das, a garage owner in Swahid Dilip Chakraborty Path near RG Baruah Road, shared similar experiences.

"Last week I saw around six two-wheelers—four motorcycles and two scooters—with seized engines, all because of waterlogging. It takes time to fix, especially when water gets into the engine," he said.

Commuters' Frustrations

Vishal Dutta, whose office is in the Silpukhuri area of the city, recounted his ordeal on the waterlogged GNB Road.

"I was driving home when my car stalled in the middle of a waterlogged road in front of the office of the Water Resources Department in Chandmari. Despite several attempts, it would not start. With the ongoing construction of the flyover, the situation further aggravated," he said.

"It took me almost an hour to clear my vehicle for the other vehicles to pass by. The next morning, my mechanic had to tow the car to the garage. He later informed me that the engine had seized because water had entered it. Even though repairing the car would burn a hole in my pocket, there is no second option. I pay my taxes regularly, but this is what we get—horrible roads," Dutta bemoaned.

Sneha Singh, another commuter, had a close call.

"I was on my way home from work when I hit something and lost control on a waterlogged patch in AIDC, opposite the Doordarshan Kendra. I was not seriously hurt, but my bike’s front wheel got severely damaged," she said.

Meanwhile, experts have advised that to avoid engine hydrostatic locking, one should never restart the car if stuck in waterlogged roads, as such attempts would result in water entering the engine via the intake air filter and manifold.

The ongoing issue of waterlogged roads in Guwahati not only disrupts daily commutes but also imposes significant financial burdens on vehicle owners. As the city continues to deal with these challenges, the call for better infrastructure and road maintenance grows louder.

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