GUWAHATI, March 19 � The residents of Panbazar area have decried the �lack of a scientific plan� for extension of Panbazar over bridge and construction of multilevel car parking adjacent to the overbridge which is creating traffic problem and sewerage malfunctioning in the area.
Whereas the ongoing construction work is creating traffic jam on the GNB road, the residents of nearby localities are concerned about the drainage system, which, according to them, has not been designed properly, while chalking out the plan of overbridge and car parking.
�For past several years, the greater Panbazar area is facing water-logging problem in rainy season. The ongoing constructions would aggravate the problem as there is no separate provision of ensuring proper water exit in either of the projects,� said ex-MLA and vice president of Save Guwahati Build Guwahati, Ajai Dutta.
�Saru Solabeel was the natural passage for drainage water of Lakhtokia, Ranibari and other parts of Paanbazar. But, due to encroachment and haphazard construction work, the natural flow of drainage water has been badly affected. To the utter surprise of the residents, around two-feet water from the drains submerged the roads and bylanes of GNB Road and Saraswati road, whereas there was no rainfall on the day. The ongoing construction has altered the natural flow of water,� he mentioned.
�The residents of Ranibari, Lakhtokia and Motilal Nehru Road also faced severe waterlogging last year, and this year, the problem is likely to aggravate,� he added.
The residents of the area also complained that the authorities concerned are not taking action against the big building owners and residents, who park their cars on the footpath. The slabs of footpath get brittle due to this constant wear and tear, creating problem for the pedestrians.
Dutta further said, due to the lack of co-ordination between various government departments, the grievances of citizens are not properly addressed. �Construction and maintenance of roads, drainage and footpaths are looked after by different authorities, and the citizens get confused which authority to approach for a particular problem. Thus, there should be a mother authority, where the citizens can lodge their complaints on any civic matter,� he demanded.
