GUWAHATI, Jan 28 � Following strong opposition from the public of Nabin Nagar and Anil Nagar, among other localities, the PWD has decided to halt work on construction of the cross-culvert at Zoo-Narengi Tiniali.
Senior PWD sources told The Assam Tribune that work on the culvert will be halted and the area dug up in middle of the RG Baruah Road would be filled up.
�Locals expressed apprehension regarding the project and there was fear among them that Nabin Nagar, Anil Nagar and other localities may face threat from reverse flow of flood-water. Taking into account their objections, we have decided to stop work on the culvert,� said an official.
The construction of the culvert was undertaken with the purpose of diverting the floodwaters from the western side of the road to the refinery drain on the eastern side.
But the citizens of the area said that the eastern side of the road is at a higher elevation than the other side and the construction of this culvert will only lead to the flow of storm water towards the western side and will aggravate the problem of flash floods in the Nabin Nagar and Anil Nagar areas of the city which lie on the western side of the RG Baruah Road.
Dwip Baruah, president of the Nabin Nagar Welfare Society, said that he was informed today about the decision to stop work on the culvert.
Expressing satisfaction about the decision, Baruah said that a meeting was held today with local technocrats and experts from Assam Engineering College on finding a solution to ensure free flow of stagnant water opposite Bhaskar Nagar to Bharalu River.
�We will study the issue and submit our proposal to the PWD (Roads) for implementation,� Baruah said.
Meanwhile, PWD sources said other measures like diverting floodwater towards Noonmati Sector I to Brahmaputra from Jyotinagar and using the Guwahati Refinery drain to divert water towards Bonda has been initiated.
