GUWAHATI: Assam government has allocated ₹1,460 crore for a sewerage treatment plant in Guwahati. The announcement was made by Jayanta Malla Baruah, Housing and Urban Affairs minister during a press conference, where he emphasised the government's proactive steps to enhance the city's flood management infrastructure.
ALSO READ: Guwahati’s Paltan Bazar Gets a Colorful Makeover Ahead of Holi
The minister said Guwahati will soon have a sewerage network adding that at present most households were dependent on septic tanks. On the other hand, many houses have connected their toilets to open drains. As part of the project, households will have to have proper sewage connections. The first sewage treatment plant will be installed near Meghdoot Cinema, and work on it is expected to begin this year. Subsequently, additional sewage treatment plants could be established in Silsako, Boragaon and Pamohi.
With monsoon season approaching, the government is focusing on mitigating flooding in Guwahati. Accordingly, the government has proposed enlarging the Silasako lake to serve as a water reservoir and connect it to the Brahmaputra River. Besides, a large drainage project is underway from Khanapara-Koinadhara to Gurudwara, which is expected to significantly reduce waterlogging once completed.
As part of efforts to prevent waterlogging, super sucker machines have been deployed in major drains across the city to ensure efficient cleaning and water flow, the minister said.
"The government is committed to solving Guwahati’s waterlogging issue. We are ensuring that drains are properly cleaned, and flood control projects are executed on time," the minister stated.
To oversee the progress of these projects, 21 monitoring committees have been set up. These committees will ensure that the work is carried out as per plan and without delays.
Contractors engaged in drain cleaning have been directed to work continuously until December, following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). One key directive is that all silt removed from the drains must be disposed of within two hours to prevent re-clogging—an issue that has long been a cause of waterlogging in the city.
"We have instructed contractors to maintain a strict timeline. No drain should be left unattended, and the removed silt must be cleared immediately to ensure effective drainage," the minister added.
