Fatal wall collapse at Guwahati’s Beltola Bazar sparks outrage over civic negligence

Guwahati, May 15: A woman was killed and two others critically injured when a guard wall adjacent to a drainage system collapsed at the crowded Beltola Bazar on Thursday, triggering panic and renewed anger over the city’s deteriorating infrastructure.

The victim, Anju Rongpi (50), a vegetable vendor from Khetri Borbitoli, was pulled from the rubble and rushed to Agile Hospital before being referred to Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH). Doctors there declared her brought dead.

Two other vendors—Muktar Deori (60) from Baksa and Laifan Boro (46) from Barbori—were also seriously injured and are currently in critical condition. Bhogila Rajbongshi (60) from Sonapur is undergoing treatment at GMCH as well.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. “It happened in seconds. One moment we were arranging our goods, and the next we were pulling people out from under bricks and dust,” said a vendor who narrowly escaped injury.

The collapse reportedly stems from structural damage linked to the nearby Bahini River embankment, raising serious questions about ongoing maintenance failures. Officials have cordoned off the area and promised an investigation, but vendors and residents say that’s not enough.

“This isn’t just a freak accident. It’s negligence,” said a local trader. “We need answers—and we need them before someone else dies.”

As one of Guwahati’s busiest commercial centres, Beltola Bazar draws thousands daily. Thursday’s incident has reignited widespread public frustration over unsafe market conditions, neglected civic infrastructure, and a lack of accountability for preventable disasters.

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