GUWAHATI, Aug 11 - The committee constituted to review the Guwahati Master Plan is exploring the possibility of creating more open spaces in different locations of the city and developing and protecting the existing ones.
�Creation of open space in different locations is of vital importance for a city like Guwahati, which also helps in disaster mitigation. A 2015 study done by the ASDMA has been taken into account in this regard,� member secretary of the committee JN Khataniar told this newspaper.
The committee is also examining as to how it can incorporate the suggestion for micro-zonation studies earlier carried out for Guwahati with the land use plan.
The committee is further contemplating a uniform policy for the preservation of forest and water-bodies to protect the environment of Guwahati, besides protection of the hills, including the degraded ones.
The panel is also exploring a broader picture of the drainage system and the issue of the run-off water coming from the Meghalaya side and flowing through the city and the possibility of regulating flooding by connecting the Deepor Beel to the Kulsi river.
The GMDA had constituted the seven-member committee in January to review the Master Plan for Guwahati Metropolitan Area-2024 (Land Use Zoning and Development Control Regulation) and other related issues.
It is headed by GMDA�s Urban Consultant Dalim Kumar Gogoi.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee was given a three-month extension in July.
Khataniar said the committee has sought suggestions and inputs from different organizations and agencies. The feedback, observations and suggestions can be sent before August 31.