GUWAHATI, March 3 � The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is planning to start a part of its ambitious water supply project in West Guwahati this year. The project that will cater to nearly seven lakh people of the city, may see its trial run during this Rongali Bihu.
Addressing the media here, GMDA chairman Dhiren Baruah said that though the project is scheduled for a trial run in June-July this year, the pace would be accelerated so that the people can see a ray of hope during the Bihu festival.
Stressing the need of a single authority managing the planning and development-related works of the capital city, Baruah said that the confusion and lack of coordination between government departments was hindering the progress of the city with nearly 25 departments and agencies looking after Guwahati city. �We have asked the State Government to solely entrust us with the responsibility of planning the city according to the master plan,� he said.
On the artificial flood problem in the city during the monsoons, he said that though waterlogging could not be stopped completely in the city at this stage, adequate steps would be taken to pump out water with high-capacity booster pumps within three hours.
The GMDA chairman told media persons that though the other three water supply projects would be completed by 2017, some parts of central Guwahati would get water earlier as a result of water diversion from the West Guwahati project.
�The West Guwahati project is scheduled to be commissioned by June this year. However, the people will get proper water supply from November this year,� said Bhupesh Chandra Das of the GMDA.
Admitting lack of coordination between several government departments and agencies associated with the development of Guwahati, the GMDA officials said that there were problems in road restoration after the water supply pipe-laying works at several places due to this.
Dhiren Baruah also announced several plans of developing different fields and open spaces in the city.
�Steps will be taken within the next ten days to develop the Latasil field into a proper playground and young players will get a new and proper Latasil playground after Bihu,� he said. Projects are also being taken up for the Kharghuli field, Sir Shadulla field and the open space near the Arya Vidyapeeth College,� he added.