GUWAHATI, June 28 � Aggrieved at the indifferent attitude of the Government towards addressing the long-standing problem of water-logging, residents of Tarun Nagar area came down to the streets and blocked the busy GS Road for almost 45 minutes this afternoon.
The road blockade virtually crippled the vehicular traffic movement on either side of the road and vehicles plying on the route were left stranded creating a chaotic situation.
This prompted the arrival of local MLA Captain (Rtd) Robin Bordoloi and the officials of police and civil administration to the spot. The residents supported by the Tarun Nagar Unnayan Samity called off the blockade after district administration officials, including an officer of the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro) assured them of immediate steps to mitigate the problem in the area.
However, the residents threatened to resume the agitation in an intensified manner if the problems are not addressed within a specific time.
Along with several areas of Guwahati, Tarun Nagar too remained submerged with the residents virtually left with no access to any means of daily life for the third consecutive day.
The residents alleged that even after almost three days have passed, the district administration took no step to help the affected people. The residents also questioned the role of the Disaster management authority in providing help to the affected.
�Further, no effort has been initiated till date to ease out the problem. The water level is not receding and as the area lies in close proximity of Bharalu River, the problem has further compounded.
Residents of the area along with the office bearers of the Unnayan Samity also raised the issues with the local MLA, who assured to take up the matter.
Suraj Choudhury, a resident of Tarun Nagar, alleged that the administration has always overlooked the problem of water logging, which resulted in such a sorry state of affairs.
�It is not a new problem for us. Bharalu river has never been excavated properly which will enable it to carry more water. The work of the contractors entrusted with the job from time to time has never been monitored and the present situation is the fall out of the tardy approach,� Choudhury told this reporter, adding that timely steps would help in easing out the problem effectively.
He also asserted that the water pumps installed should be maintained in a proper manner and things should be assessed round-the-year and not just during the rainy season.
The residents, meanwhile, demanded installation of large capacity water pumps and timely assistance from the Government.
Prabha Deka, a resident of Tarun Nagar Bye Lane number 6 rued that she along with her husband and son could not move out of the house for the last three days.
�Water submerged the area including our house and sad part is even after three days, the water is showing no sign of receding,� she added.
