GUWAHATI: The Kamrup (Metro) District Administration is gearing up for the rainy season and it has started work to ensure a flood-free city. The aim is to avoid any mishaps and ensure safety of the commuters.
Under the instructions of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district, the cleaning drive of the rivers and drains has already started. Apart from clearing out the dirt and garbage thrown into the watercourses, water hyacinths and other weeds are also being taken out. It has also been directed to keep all water outlet channels clean at all times.
The DC Kamrup (M) Biswajit Pegu said, “There should be no halt in carrying out the cleanliness drive in the city this time. Usually, more dirt is stacked up even after the drains have been cleaned out, but it should not happen this time. They should be cleared away immediately. We are doing our best to avoid any water logging this time.”
These projects are being undertaken jointly by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
There are a total of 330 drains under the GMC where the cleaning drive under the first phase is already complete and the second phase is currently underway. The prime channels under this drive include Bharalu, Silsako Beel, Deepor Beel, Bahini River, Mora Bharalu and Bondajaan Beel.
“We have carried out cleanliness drives in close to 330 drains of the city recently and installed five pumps in the flood prone areas of the city including Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar,” informed GMC Commissioner Debeswar Malakar.
GMC has also taken initiative to organise mass awareness campaigns on keeping the city clean. The awareness campaigns will be organised in the month of June across all 31 wards, Malakar added.
The district administration has urged the citizens to refrain from throwing plastic bags, thermocol boxes and other garbage in the drains, as they lead to clogging.
The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) has also been sent notice to ensure that all the electric poles and cables are secured properly to avoid accidents. Additionally, the water resource departments have been ordered to keep all the water pumps active and the matter is already under scrutiny.
Further, two holes have been dug up at both Khanapara and Veterinary College campus, where all the water that flows from Meghalaya will be collected to avoid extreme water logging in the area.
