GUWAHATI, July 15 � In accordance with the Gauhati High Court�s order in connection with the PIL filed by the Policy Group for Peoples� Rights (PGPR), Dibrugrah, the new Deputy Commissioner of Dibrugarh, MS Manivannan along with members of the PGPR met on June 12 to discuss the problem of recurrent and prolonged waterlogging in Jibon Phukan Nagar, Khania Gaon and East Milon Nagar of Dibrugarh town. Also present in the meeting were the Chairman, Dibrugarh Municipality, Chairman, Dibrugarh Development Authority, representatives of various departments like PWD, Town and Country Planning, Department of Water Resources and also circle officers. This was stated in a press release.
Stating that the goal of having a flood-free Dibrugarh can be achieved only by deliberating on the issue with inputs from civil society as well as technical experts and concerned departments, the DC emphasised the need for a drainage master plan of Dibrugarh.
The president of the PGPR, Dr Aradhana Kataki, while appreciating the sincere approach of the Deputy Commissioner, pointed out that the administrative apparatus in the past several years had utterly failed to take due diligence and always waited for the problem to set in instead of taking timely anticipatory measures even though PGPR has, over the years, repeatedly underlined the issue. As a result, the persisting problem has not been solved in spite of similar discussions every year and residents are forced to live marooned in stagnant water and flooded houses. This is a gross violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Dr Aradhana Kataki asked that, apart from working out long-term steps, immediate short-term measures proposed by PGPR since 2009 such as correction of gradients based on feedback provided by technical experts, use of high capacity pumps effectively and clearing of encroachments etc. be taken immediately to enable tax paying law abiding residents to resume their regular lives.
After considering the observations of various representatives of civil society and government agencies, the DC, in stated that the existing drains which are either defective or obstructive needs to be identified, drains properly linked and inflow of water from outside the town diverted. He underlined the need for another drain to cope with the increased volume of water discharge. He asked the Dibrugarh Development Authority to clear all encroachments that impede the drains and the Chairman, Dibrugarh Municipality to clean the drains regularly. He further pointed out that the civil society must cooperate by not throwing garbage and construction material on drains and avoid using polythene bags. Finally, he constituted a coordinating committee comprising representatives of government departments like Town and Country Planning, the civil administration, Municipality and members of the PGPR in order to monitor the situation, identify and link the problems and find solutions accordingly.
