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On one of her daily walks, Archana Majumdar found herself stepping off the footpath and onto the busy road—not by choice, but because a parked car blocked her way. For an elderly woman navigating the city alone, it was a small but telling moment, one that brought to light the larger challenges faced by senior citizens in a big city. As the largest and most densely populated city in Assam, Guwahati presents several accessibility challenges for its older residents.
Yet, alongside these difficulties, efforts—both from the administration and citizens—have been made to improve accessibility. Mrs. Majumdar’s experience is just one of many that shed light on the everyday obstacles senior citizens encounter, thus raising an important question: how accessible is Guwahati for them?
Eminent architect Pradyut Moral says that the primary concern in urban planning should be pedestrian accessibility. Yet, for many residents of the capital city, especially the elderly, navigating the city remains a daily challenge.
Vinod and Pratima Bhatia, an elderly couple living alone in the city, have experienced this firsthand. Crossing the road is often a struggle, as zebra crossings remain largely non-functional, with vehicles rarely stopping. The lack of coordination between traffic points only adds to the chaos, making even short walks feel unsafe. Beyond road crossings, footpaths present another obstacle. In many areas, poor planning has led to footpaths being constructed before critical infrastructure like pipelines is installed. As a result, pipelines are often placed above the walkways, creating uneven surfaces that are difficult to walk on.
Furthermore, the placement of vending shops on the footpaths itself complicates the problem. On one hand, it makes the issue of navigating footpaths for senior citizens even more difficult, while on the other hand, the vendors themselves have no other place to open up shop, due to the failure of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation to provide dedicated vending zones. For senior citizens, these poorly maintained paths turn a simple walk into a risky task, raising concerns about both accessibility and safety in the city’s urban design.
Parks are a preferred recreational spot for elderly residents, providing a tranquil environment for morning walks, light exercise, or simply unwinding. With its scenic walking paths, ample seating, and free access for senior citizens, Nehru Park provides a refreshing outdoor retreat. These are just a few of the reasons why Mr. Nur Mohammad can be found sitting on a bench there every evening, enjoying the sunset and watching children play on the swings. For him, these quiet moments offer a welcome escape from daily life, allowing him to unwind and soak in the serenity of nature. For elderly residents like Mr. Mohammad, it is not just a park but a peaceful haven amid the bustle of Guwahati city.
Nalinibala Devi Park (Photo : Aparoopa Dutta)
However, recent development projects in the city, including the construction of flyovers, have led to the demolition of several residential parks. As a result, many senior citizens now have to spend significant amounts on transportation just to visit a park. Parks like Nalinibala Devi Park in Paltan Bazar area and Amal Prabha Das Park in South Sarania area are in very bad condition, increasingly becoming hubs for anti-social activity like drugs peddling, making common citizens hesitant to visit them.
These parks were once filled with the echoes of children’s laughter and the pleasant chatter of individuals who went for their daily walks. But with time, due to poor maintenance and negligence on the part of the authorities, the conditions of the parks have deteriorated exponentially. Without immediate action, these once-thriving community spaces risk being completely abandoned, depriving citizens, especially the elderly, of accessible, open areas for recreation and relaxation.
Amal Prabha Das Park (Photo : Aparoopa Dutta)
For many senior citizens, retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about rediscovering life in new and meaningful ways. Mr. Kanak Chandra Goswami, a retired Reserve Bank of India officer, understands this well. “For senior citizens like us, it is crucial to prioritize our health and remain both physically and mentally active”, he says, reflecting on the importance of staying engaged. This is exactly where senior citizen clubs like Hello Milo come in. Started under the initiative of renowned eocnomist Dr. Amiya Sharma in 2019, the Hello Milo Club under Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) is an example of citiznens' initiatives to create recreational space for senior citizens. Every Tuesday and Friday evening from 5 to 7 PM, club members gather at the RGBN hall and take part in a variety of activities.
The evening begins with a specially designed yoga session led by a trained professional, ensuring gentle yet effective exercises suited for the elderly. This is followed by musical jam sessions, where members come together to perform and enjoy melodies. The gathering then transitions into a relaxed high tea, accompanied by lively conversations and shared laughter, making each session a cherished experience for all. The club frequently organizes picnics and outings to parks and other scenic spots, giving members a chance to unwind and socialize in a refreshing environment. Additionally, regular health check-ups are also conducted to ensure their physical well-being.
“With their children settled elsewhere and old friends scattered, our club offers elderly citizens a space to unwind and engage in activities which will bring them joy”, says Mr. Niranjan Goswami the club’s coordinator. For many, Hello Milo is not just a club—it’s a second home. The club is now looking to expand its reach by opening a new unit near Narikal Basti. This initiative aims to make its services more accessible to senior citizens across Guwahati.
While spaces like Hello Milo provide emotional and social support, the overall well-being of senior citizens also depends on accessible and reliable healthcare services. In a city like Guwahati, where medical facilities range from government hospitals to private clinics, the question remains - how equipped is the healthcare system to meet the needs of its aging population?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, when Pratima Bhatia tested positive for the virus, she and her husband came face to face with a dire situation. Upon requesting an ambulance, they were charged a fixed price of seven thousand rupees. Situations like these bring to light the expenses involved in accessing proper healthcare facilities, especially in times of emergency.
Some of the hospitals lack any guidance or support which would allow senior citizens to properly access their facilities. While ramps, wheelchairs, and elevators are there, these are often poorly maintained or insufficient in number, observes some elderly residents. Inadeauete generic pharmacies a creates a cost barrier for a large section of senior citizens for treatment of their ailments. They also feel that as healthcare facilities are concentrated in central areas of the city, those in peripheral areas face challenges in accessing affordbale healthcare services.
However, the city remains the main hub for healthcare for the entire Northeast region. The presence of numerous hospitals and clinics, along with the establishment of a dedicated cancer institute, is widely regarded as one of the city’s strongest advantages. Recognizing the growing need for elderly care, the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has also introduced a dedicated geriatric unit—a step which the senior citizens feel will address the unique healthcare challenges faced by them and make Guwahati more senior citizen friendly.
Dr. Bimal Sharma, a retired doctor from Oil India Limited has dedicated his retirement years to providing free medical treatment and care to senior citizens living in Guwahati who also belong to the economically weaker section of society. Accessing proper healthcare is already a challenge for many, but for elderly individuals with limited financial means, it often becomes impossible.
Having spent decades treating patients, Dr. Sharma now channels his expertise and compassion into serving those who need it most. In collaboration with local NGOs, he has expanded his reach offering free medical check-ups to elderly individuals. He also frequents C in the city, providing not just treatment but also valuable health advice to senior citizens who either have no family or live away from their loved ones. He has also organized mobile health camps, bringing his services to the areas of the city with poor connectivity. For Dr. Sharma, this work is more than just a service, it is a commitment to ensuring that aging with dignity is more than just a privilege, it's a right.
With advancements in modern medicine and technology, life expectancy is steadily rising. As a result, the population of senior citizens is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This shift brings with it an urgent question—are we, as a society, truly prepared to adapt to this change? Elderly residents of this premeir city in India's Northeast feel that accessibility is not just about comfort, it is also about offering dignity and respect. A longer life should not mean a longer struggle, it should mean more years of health, happiness, and inclusion.
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