Guwahati: Several key structural measures proposed by the Housing and Urban Affairs Department and Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to mitigate floods in Guwahati have been approved in the State Executive Meeting (SEM).
The Assam Chief Secretary, Ravi Kota, presided over the recent SEM meeting.
The key structural measures proposed are worth Rs 167 crore. They include stormwater drains from Boragaon to Deepor Beel, from Khanapara to Basistha Chariali along NH 27, and stormwater drain with grit chambers from Juripar to Silsako.
Moreover, proposals for the construction of a connector drain from Sarumotoria to Silsako Beel with a pumping station.
The flood protection wall along the Bahini river channel from Rukminigaon to Janata Bhawan in Dispur has also been approved.
Construction of silt traps and watershed management to prevent hill erosion and source control measures using underground retention tanks and rainwater harvesting systems have also been approved.
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On the other hand, the SEM has also approved a few non-structural measures worth Rs 33 crore, including flood early warning and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for pump houses and hill monitoring using drone technology.