GUWAHATI, July 15: A review meeting of Mission Flood Free Guwahati was held here to assess the situation arising out of heavy rainfall and subsequent waterlogging and flooding in several localities of the city.
Chaired by Assam minister for housing and urban affairs, Kaushik Rai, the meeting reviewed the prevailing situation and deliberated on both immediate and long-term measures to tackle urban flooding, strengthen drainage infrastructure and improve inter-departmental coordination.
Detailed discussions were held on identifying bottlenecks in major drainage channels, carrying out regular desilting and cleaning of drains, strengthening pumping and dewatering mechanisms, expediting ongoing drainage projects and implementing sustainable flood mitigation measures across the city.
Officials from the housing and urban affairs department, Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority, Assam Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Limited, National Highways Authority of India, Water Resources Department, Public Works Department, Assam Power Distribution Company Limited, Oil India Limited, Northeast Frontier Railway, forest department and other concerned agencies attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the minister directed all departments and agencies to work in close coordination and take prompt action to address the issues affecting residents.
Expressing concern over prolonged waterlogging in several localities, he stressed the need for greater accountability and directed the concerned authorities to initiate legal action against contractors who have failed to complete projects within the stipulated timelines.
Rai also emphasised the importance of regular and systematic cleaning of drains and stated that desilting and maintenance activities must be undertaken as a continuous process throughout the year to enhance the efficiency of the city’s drainage network and prevent waterlogging.
He further directed the concerned agencies to fix area-wise responsibilities and constitute dedicated quick response teams to ensure swift action during emergencies and adverse weather conditions.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to addressing Guwahati’s flooding challenges, Rai stated that coordinated planning, timely execution of projects and effective inter-agency collaboration are essential for building a resilient and flood-free city.
