GUWAHATI, April 30 � Facing the challenge to clear silt and clogged drains ahead of the monsoons, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is now focusing on clearing the silt chambers across the city.
The corporation is spending Rs 1.2 crore from its own resources for de-siltation of the water channels and major drains for this monsoons period.
Unlike last year, when scanty rainfalls did not cause much trouble to the drainage system in Guwahati, this year, people on roads were left in the lurch due to the flashfloods, which occurred here after every downpour.
Though the authorities like GMDA, GMC, PWD, etc., were engaged in the drain clearing activities even before the rainfalls, it made little difference when tested during the heavy showers.
When contacted, GMC Commissioner Anurag Goyal said that GMC has already engaged its worker to clear the silt chambers in many areas of the city.
�After the heavy cyclonic storm that the city faced a few days back, our prime concern is to clear the silt from the roads. Our workers removed the accumulated soil from the major roads like the GS Road, GNB Road and the RG Baruah Road within 24 to 36 hours of the storm,� he said.
�De-siltation is a continuous process and now we are focusing on clearing the silt chambers, to let the water pass smoothly. Many such chambers, including those of Chandmari, near the statue of Pratima Pandey, Ganeshguri and Zoo Road have been cleared,� he added.
The whole drainage system of Guwahati, divided in three parts, is being looked after by the GMC, the PWD and the Water Resource Department. The corporation has also completed the tendering process for engaging private party in the de-siltation process, GMC sources mentioned.
�By the end of May, the de-siltation process would be completed by the corporation, so that when monsoon proper arrives around June, the city drains are prepared to take the burden of excess water,� the GMC Commissioner added.
