From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI: A high-level Assam government delegation on Saturday reviewed the progress of flood mitigation work undertaken by various departments in the city ahead of the monsoon.
The team of senior officials led by principal secretary, Guwahati development department, Maninder Singh took stock of the situation in the flood-prone areas, including stretches along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
It may be noted that the delegation had carried a survey of the flood-prone areas such as Khanapara, Juripar, VIP Road, Satgaon, Narengi and Bonda.
The team also comprised Kamrup Metro deputy commissioner, Guwahati Municipal Corporation commissioner, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority chief executive officer besides officials from the district disaster management authority, National Highways Authority of India and PWD (Roads).
The delegation directed the departments concerned to expedite the desiltation/ excavation and cleaning activities of all the natural water channels in and around Guwahati, including major and internal drains around the city and plan for long term measures to mitigate the city’s artificial water-logging problem.
It may also be mentioned that a proposal to divert rain water entering the periphery areas of the city from Meghalaya via a channel linked to the Brahmaputra has been submitted to the Assam government.
The objective of the proposed project is to relieve the periphery areas of the city (Khanapara, VIP Road and Juripar) from the onslaught of flash floods caused by water gushing down from the hills of Meghalaya.
Areas in and around Jorabat near the inter-state border invariably get inundated after a smart shower, causing immense problems to commuters.