GUWAHATI, Sept 26 - The State government is spending more than Rs 17 crore in less than one year to maintain a stretch of �walking zone� for six hours every Sunday along the Brahmaputra river in Guwahati.
This was revealed in the Assembly today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, on behalf of the Minister for Guwahati Development Department (GDD), in response to a starred question by MLA Atul Bora.
In his written reply, Patowary stated that the PWD (Roads) has awarded projects worth Rs 13.68 crore for construction of drains, grill work, laying of tiles on footpath, covering manholes, etc.
Work worth Rs 1.35 crore for construction of stage, view cutters, sitting benches, etc., has been sanctioned to PWD (Building) Department. The PWD (Electrical Division) is carrying out electrification work worth Rs 2.2 crore, which includes installation of halogen flood lights, wiring and sound systems.
Over Rs 4 lakh has been paid to APDCL till July, 2018, for installation of six temporary connections and bills for ornamental lights.
The minister further said the decision to convert the stretch of road into walking zone was taken to enable the denizens to enjoy the beauty of the Brahmaputra unhindered along with their families on Sundays.
Further, the walking zone also boosts the concept of walking, which is beneficial for health, he added.
Besides the stretch at Fancy Bazar, facilities for morning walk have been made on the Chandmari flyover, Dighalipukhuripar and the Khanapara field. Besides, people can also go for a free morning walk till 8 am at Shraddhanjali Kanan, Nehru Park, Sankardev Udyan and Judges� Field.
The walking zone at Fancy Bazar, along the banks of the Brahmaputra, was started in October last year by closing a stretch of about three kilometres for vehicles from 4 pm to 8 pm every Sunday.
Musical performances are arranged and food stalls are also permitted to be set up in the stretch.
