GUWAHATI, March 25 - Asking the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to take measures to keep the Brahmaputra riverfront in Guwahati free from any construction and encroachment, NGO Save Guwahati Build Guwahati (SGBG) has submitted a memorandum to the GMC Commissioner highlighting the need to take measures on a number of civic issues.
�Keeping the Brahmaputra riverfront clear has been a long-standing demand, which has been conveniently ignored by the government and private parties alike. On the bank of Brahmaputra from Refinery checkgate at Kharghuli to Bharalumukh, even after the promulgation of ordinance by the government, construction is being carried out by some institutions and individuals. Even the government recently developed a portion of the riverfront for the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan,� the SGBG.
The NGO also asked the authorities to improve the drainage and sewerage system to make the city �smart� in the true sense of the term.
The memorandum, signed by SGBG president Krishno K Borooah and vice president Ajoy Dutta, underlined the need to widen the roads of Guwahati in view of the growing commuting need of the expanding city.
�We should now go for some elevated roads and flyovers to reduce traffic congestion. Also, a public notification must be issued for not to make boundary walls more than three feet high near the crossings, so that the clear view of the roads is not obstructed,� the memorandum stated.
Some of the other issues highlighted by the NGO included the need to promote rainwater harvesting, plinth level of the roads and footpaths and the need to develop the condition of markets of Guwahati.
Further, the organisation, which has been raising issues concerning Guwahati city, welcomed the government decision to construct a bridge over the Brahmaputra to connect North Guwahati.
�It was one of our long-pending demands to construct a bridge connecting North Guwahati. However, we have some reservations regarding the site as it will create more congestion on the MG Road once the bridge is completed. To overcome this problem, we suggest that an elevated road be constructed along the Brahmaputra from Refinery intake point to Saraighat Bridge connecting Rajiv Chowk, like the outer ring road of Delhi. This will not just ease the traffic, but, by extending a few arms of the elevated road in front of DC bungalow, it can also be an effective way to divert the VIP caravans to the airport without disturbing the regular city traffic,� the memorandum stated.
