Written by: Kashmira Gogoi
Dibrugrah: Once regarded as one of the most cherished public spaces in upper Assam’s Dibrugarh, the historic Chowkidingi Park and its adjoining field are now drawing concern from residents who say years of neglect have pushed the area into visible decline.
Situated prominently in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and near the Assam State Transport Corporation complex, Chowkidingi Field has for generations served as a vital recreational and sporting hub. Children learned to play cricket on its grounds, football matches brought neighbourhoods together, walkers gathered in the early morning hours, and young athletes trained in the open air.
For many residents, the field is more than just a patch of land—it is a symbol of community life in Dibrugarh.
From Pride to Decline
In recent years, hopes were raised when renovation and beautification work transformed the space into what many believed could rival parks in larger cities. Public investment brought several modern amenities, including a children’s park, an open-air gym, two lawn tennis courts, and a floodlight system intended to support evening events.
The project was backed by funds from the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation, and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of public sector companies such as Oil India Limited and ONGC.
Residents say they appreciated those efforts. However, they now argue that the benefits of that investment are fading rapidly because of poor maintenance.
A visit to the field reveals unchecked grass growth across large sections of the premises. Concrete walking tracks are reportedly obstructed by weeds and uneven surfaces, creating difficulties for joggers, senior citizens, and morning walkers. Some locals have also raised concerns over reptiles hiding in the tall grass, discouraging families from visiting the area.
Of the two lawn tennis courts once constructed with public funds, residents say only one remains usable. The second court has reportedly been overtaken by weeds and left in disrepair.
The open-air gym, once seen as a sign of modernization, now shows visible signs of rust and damage. The children’s park, once lively and well-used, has also fallen silent.
Perhaps the sharpest criticism, however, concerns the condition of the public toilet facility, which several residents described as unhygienic and poorly maintained.
Event Organisers Voice Frustration
Local organisations that continue to use the ground for public events say they are forced to manage basic maintenance themselves despite paying booking charges.
“We pay Rs 10,000 directly to the DC office every time we book this ground for an event, yet the basic facilities here remain in a deplorable condition. The toilets, which are a fundamental necessity, are in their worst possible state, and the grass has to be cleared manually each time we wish to use the space. On top of that, the absence of a proper drainage system leaves rainwater stagnant right in the middle of the field, making the ground completely unfit for use after every heavy rainfall,” said Amiyo Hazarika, president of Milanjyoti Sangha, a local organization.
His remarks highlight a broader complaint that despite the field continuing to generate public use and event bookings, upkeep has not kept pace.
Former Civic Leader Calls for Immediate Action
Former municipal officials have also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the space and called for intervention.
“Being situated in the heart of the city, right alongside the DC Bungalow and just 1.4 km from Thana Chariali, we kindly urge the respective authorities to take notice of the condition this place has gradually fallen into. It has been more than ten years since any renovation has taken place, and we humbly request the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation to look into this matter with due attention. We sincerely hope that the concerned authorities will take this as an opportunity to restore this space to the dignity and standard it truly deserves,” said C.K. Barua, former Chairman of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation.
Residents say the location of Chowkidingi Field, at the centre of the town’s civic landscape, makes its present condition even more concerning.
Public Health and Accessibility Concerns
Senior citizens and regular users of the field say the issue is not merely aesthetic but one of public health and accessibility.
“The overgrown grass must be cleared and public toilets kept clean and sanitized to ensure a healthy environment for everyone in Dibrugarh. Since this space serves children, the elderly, and sports enthusiasts alike, access to drinking and washing water is absolutely essential,” said Mahesh Kumar Jain, a former teacher at Dibru College.
Locals note that for a public space meant to serve all age groups, the lack of functioning sanitation, clean water access, and safe walking areas undermines its purpose.
Questions of Responsibility
The issue of accountability remains a central concern. Residents say larger infrastructure at the field falls under state government oversight, while surrounding civic maintenance—including waste management, drainage, and prevention of encroachments—traditionally falls under municipal authorities.
Many believe that regardless of jurisdictional divisions, the present condition calls for coordinated action.
The Chowkidingi area has also received attention at senior political and administrative levels in recent months. In February 2025, a meeting of the Chowkidingee Crematorium Construction Committee was reportedly held at the District Commissioner’s conference hall under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice of India and Rajya Sabha MP Ranjan Gogoi.
Residents now say similar urgency should be shown toward restoring the adjoining field itself.
A Test for a Growing City
As Dibrugarh continues its transition into a larger urban centre with expanding municipal responsibilities, citizens say Chowkidingi Field represents an important test of civic governance.
Their demands, they insist, are basic: cut the grass, repair the pathways, clean the toilets, restore the children’s park, fix the gym equipment, and improve drainage.
Once a source of pride, Chowkidingi Field now stands as a reminder that development is not measured only by new construction, but by the willingness to maintain what has already been built.
For many in Dibrugarh, the field is still waiting—and so are the people.