GUWAHATI, July 21 - Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu and the Deputy Commissioner of Meghalaya�s Ri Bhoi district, Dr Pooja Pandey, today carried out a joint inspection of the National Highway 37 from Khanapara to Jorabat and later held a meeting to discuss the frequent incidence of waterlogging that takes place in the area.
The two officials carried out the inspection even as the Jorabat locality witnessed another spate of waterlogging today following rainfall, which created traffic jam from the city to upper Assam and Meghalaya.
The two DCs directed National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials, who were present at the meeting, to take up construction of drainage work on the Meghalaya side of the highway and also increase the capacity of outlets so that the problem of waterlogging could be eradicated.
District administration sources said that while the Assam side of the NH-37 has a proper drainage, similar drains are lacking at many places on the Meghalaya side. This results in massive waterlogging as rainwater from the Meghalaya hills does not find any outlet during heavy downpour. It also causes a huge traffic problem in the stretch.
They said that cutting of hills is going on unabated on the Meghalaya side and this has led to disposal of soil in the drains, which further complicates the situation.
Dr Angamuthu had earlier this month carried out an inspection of the NH 37 from Khanapara to Byrnihat and directed the Sonapur Circle Officer to remove all obstructions in the drains and clear all encroachments. Following that a massive exercise was undertaken by the district administration.
During today�s meeting, the two DCs also directed the respective police forces to deal harshly with any antisocial activities along the NH-37.
Senior district administration and police officials from both sides, along with the NHAI officials, attended today�s meeting.
