Guwahati: Within a month of its inauguration, the Swahid Smarak Kshetra has emerged as a major attraction, drawing thousands of visitors daily. The govt-built memorial, described as the first of its kind to honour martyrs’ sacrifices, is now facing criticism over littering along approach roads and surrounding areas.Residents said the opening of the memorial has brought a surge in businesses, followed by an increase in plastic bottles, food wrappers, disposable plates and spit stains discarded along the road leading to the premises. They said the waste undermines the memorial’s purpose as a site of respect and collective memory.
“This structure is not just a recreational spot, it also represents our history and the sacrifices of those martyrs, and seeing it get littered with garbage and spit stains is very disrespectful. People must be better and there must be stricter enforcement of rules and regulations regarding cleanliness,” said Muktishman Kaushik, a student and a nearby resident.Mohidul Islam, who runs a tea stall in the area, said customers often throw garbage despite signs at his shop asking them not to litter.The issue has also triggered public frustration, with citizens sharing photographs of garbage-clogged stretches near the memorial and urging authorities and visitors to act responsibly. Staff responsible for maintaining the memorial said regular cleaning is conducted and that garbage is collected by Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) cleaners. “Now since there is a visible surge of visitors coming to see the memorial, there will be garbage, but people must also be careful to not dump everything on the ground since there are no dustbins there,” one of the caretakers said.GMC mayor Mrigen Sarania said the civic body is planning steps to address the problem. “Since this is a tourist spot, we have no option but to ensure the premises are kept clean at all times. We are planning to install dustbins outside the memorial so that visitors can dispose of their garbage properly and help maintain cleanliness in the area. We will try to instill this among the locals, as very soon there will be a special cleanup drive there.”
