GUWAHATI, July 17 � The Water Resources Department has drawn up seven proposals worth Rs 104 crore for tackling the Guwahati flash flood issue. Disclosing this at the State Assembly here today, Minister of State (Independent) for Water Resources Rajiv Lochan Pegu said that none of the proposals has been approved by the authorities concerned.
The proposals include construction of flood wall along the both banks of the Mora Bharalu (Rs 3335.69 lakh), construction of flood wall along both banks of the Bharalu between chainage 1,660 metre and chainage 6,000 metre (Rs 2671.90 lakh).
Besides, the proposals also include the ones meant for construction of flood wall along both banks of Bahini from chainage 0 metre to chainage 8721 metre (Rs 3404.21 lakh), improvement of drainage of Greater Guwahati � that is construction of sluice over Khanajan (Rs 458.55 lakh), desiltation and cleaning of Sarusola Beel to improve drainage facilities of Guwahati and to protect the Beel (Rs 231.00 lakh).
Procurement of trolley- mounted pump sets and portable pumps for dewatering of storm water from water-logged area of Guwahati city (Rs 203.28 lakh), renovation of old pumping station at Bharalumukh (GMC�s pump house) by laying one additional pipe line along with one extra electrical connection and fitting of new sluice valve for better performance of the pumps (95.57 lakh) are also among the proposals.
The proposal for procuring the trolley pumps are sought to be installed at Anil Nagar, Tarun Nagar, Lachit Nagar and other flood-prone areas. Moreover, installation of four more 400 Hp pumps to replace the four old pumps of the Bharalumukh Sluice Gate is also under consideration.
The Department is also considering establishment of a pump house with four 400 Hp pumps.
It is also considering converting the one-door sluice gate at Khanajan into a five-door one and for the purpose a project proposal worth Rs 5 crore has been prepared. However, to free the city from flash flood, the people of the city should call a halt to the activities like hill earth cutting, dumping garbage on the rivers, encroaching river land, etc., the Minister said.
Pegu further said that the citizens must also cooperate with the Government to deal with artificial floods. He pointed out that people dump all kinds of garbage on the Bharalu river, which reduces the water carrying capacity of the river.
The Minister in charge of the Guwahati Development Department (GDD), Ajanta Neog said that she has taken over charge of the department only 22 days back and she is now trying to understand the problems of the city. Lack of sewerage is one of the main issues and the Government would have to chalk out a comprehensive plan, she added.
Earlier raising the issue, Keshab Mahanta (AGP) said that the Government totally failed to chalk out a master plan to deal with artificial floods in the city. He stressed the need for coordination between various departments and agencies.
