GUWAHATI, Feb 4 � To achieve the target of a flash flood-free Guwahati this year, the district administration has instructed all the agencies concerned to take up the de-siltation and drain cleaning process as soon as possible.
A project worth around Rs 15 crore has already been designed to de-silt the major water channels ahead of the monsoons.
In a bid to make the cleaning of sewerage more effective in Guwahati, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has decided to restrict the use of polythene packets in the city.
�The work of cleaning the small drains of the city bye-lanes has already been started. But, to stop the drain blockage due to the earth coming from the hills with rainwater, we are targetting the silt traps of the city. Around eight silts traps, which exist in the city, would be properly cleaned for this purpose,� a GMC official said.
�As soon as we get the money, the de-siltation process would be started. In addition, we have decided to restrict the use of polythene packets, disposable tea-cups, plates made of plastic etc., inside the city to stop drain blockage,� he added.
A State level executive committee is also formed on Guwahati floods for mapping the flood-prone areas and mitigation of floods.
Over the year, the city has been witnessing worst kind of waterlogging that lasts for several hours. There are lanes and bye-lanes of the city, where the flood water remains for two-three days and even more than that.
While the common people charge the corporation for not cleaning the drains properly, the government puts the blame on people for clogging the drains with polythene packets and garbage dumping.
�Corporation is not the only agency to be blamed for the waterlogging in the city as the major drains and water channels are maintained by the Public Works Department and the Department of Water Resources. Though the corporation clears the small drains inside the city lanes, it won�t be effective till the rainwater flows smoothly through the major drains,� he mentioned.
Many NGOs and public activists, working for the development of Guwahati have asked for a complete scientific plan to make the city flood free including not just the city drains, but the wetlands, Bharalu rivulet and the hills around the city as well.
�Waterlogging has become a major recurrent problem in the city in the past couple of years. It is also a matter of great concern that every year, new areas are getting affected due to this problem. Rather than taking some short � term measures, the State government must chalk out a long term scientific plan for the solution of this problem,� a resident of Anil Nagar area said.
