Guwahati: Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Thursday unveiled an ambitious plan to address Guwahati’s persistent flooding issues and improve the city’s urban infrastructure.
Speaking at a press conference, the minister outlined the Assam Government’s multi-pronged approach, focusing on drainage management, urban sanitation, and flood resilience.
Baruah announced that desiltation work has commenced and is expected to be completed by March, ahead of the April flood season.
He urged citizens to monitor the progress and provide feedback to ensure accountability.
To bolster public involvement, 21 Monitoring Committees have been formed under the DDMA Act, comprising officials, ward representatives, and residents.
These committees will follow a Standard Operating Procedure to oversee drainage projects and ensure quality execution, especially in cases of unusually low contractor bids.
The government has also adopted advanced drainage solutions, channelling excess water from the city to Silsaku Beel and eventually the Brahmaputra River.
Large drains are being cleared using super-sucker machines, while smaller drains are manually desilted by GMC, GMDA, and PWD teams.
In the Khanapara region, efforts are underway to prevent rainwater runoff from Meghalaya from overwhelming Guwahati’s drainage system.
Illegal constructions impacting drainage will be identified using satellite imagery, and strict action will follow, including demolition where necessary.
The minister revealed plans to transform Silsaku Beel into a major water reservoir to mitigate flooding. Restoration work will begin soon, with illegal encroachments near the Beel set to be removed.
Urban sanitation efforts will include the development of three sewerage treatment hubs at Borsola, Silsaku, and Boragaon.
A Rs. 1,460 crore project will launch near Meghdoot Cinema Hall and Borsola, while a retention tank in Boragaon will direct excess water to the Brahmaputra via Deepor Beel.
Plans also include creating open spaces and a Legacy Urban Forest in Boragaon to promote ecological sustainability.
The Guwahati Jal Board will gradually take over the city’s water supply system from GMC, starting July 1 in select areas. Households transitioning to the Jal Board before this deadline will have initial fees covered by GMC, while ration card holders will receive free water connections.
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Efforts are also underway to resolve frequent pipe bursts. Robotic surveys have identified pipe welding degradations, and repairs are in progress. Future plans include adding surge tanks as recommended by IIT Guwahati.
On housing, a PMAY-U clustered housing project is being developed for residents of Guwahati’s hilly areas.
The minister emphasised the importance of integrated urban planning, urging collaboration with stakeholders like the Railway, OIL, and NHAI to address broader infrastructure challenges.
Baruah called on the public to actively participate in these initiatives.
“The success of these projects depends on collective effort and timely action,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making Guwahati a flood-resilient, sustainable, and well-planned city.
