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Fund crunch hits ambitious drainage project

By Mamata mishra

GUWAHATI, April 19 - As rains have already started reminding people of the monsoons waterlogging ordeals, the fate of almost completed Noonmati-Narangi-Bonda drainage project being undertaken by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) hangs in uncertainty due to fund crunch.

The Rs 32-crore project that is supposed to be a big succour for the people in Guwahati during flash floods, especially those in the worst hit Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar areas, is 80 per cent complete, but lack of funds might result in the project missing the target of this monsoons.

Though the foundation stone of the project was laid by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in May, 2013, the project could only start last year. The rainwater, including the run-off from Noonmati hills would be diverted from the backside of the Guwahati Refinery campus to Bondajan and subsequently to the Brahmaputra river.

�Nearly 50 per cent water of Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar would be diverted to the Brahmaputra, once this project is completed. However, the GMDA has received only Rs 14 crore for the project so far. Huge payments related to the project are yet to be cleared,� said GMDA sources.

�A major chunk of funds released for the project was used to pay for the Railway land being used for the project. If the funds are available on time, the project could be completed within this year. In view of the coming monsoons, it is crucial to make a headway in this regard,� sources added.

Meanwhile, GMDA chairman Dhiren Baruah has also made an appeal to the authorities concerned, the Government of Assam, to extend full cooperation and help to complete the ongoing project in time.

�The remaining part of the project should be accomplished as soon as possible to provide relief to the people of the city, especially those in the worst hit areas. We also request the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to continue the drain cleaning programme with full cooperation,� he added.

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