GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Tuesday, July 14, reviewed the progress of Mission Flood Free Guwahati following recent heavy rainfall that caused widespread waterlogging in Maligaon, Kahilipara and several other parts of the city.
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During the meeting, the government reviewed the prevailing flood situation and discussed both immediate and long-term measures to improve Guwahati's drainage system and reduce urban flooding.
Discussions focused on removing bottlenecks in major drainage channels, ensuring regular desilting and drain cleaning, strengthening pumping and dewatering mechanisms, speeding up ongoing drainage projects and implementing long-term flood mitigation measures, while improving coordination among departments.
Expressing concern over prolonged waterlogging in several localities, Minister Rai directed all departments and agencies to work in close coordination and take prompt action to address issues affecting residents.
Among the key decisions taken, the minister directed departments to undertake drain cleaning and desilting as a year-round exercise instead of limiting it to the monsoon season. He said regular maintenance is essential to improve the efficiency of the city's drainage network and minimise waterlogging during heavy rainfall.
Rai also instructed departments to assign area-wise responsibilities and constitute dedicated Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to ensure swift action during emergencies and adverse weather conditions.
The minister also directed authorities to initiate legal action against contractors who have failed to complete flood mitigation projects on time.
The meeting further reviewed the status of major drainage channels, pumping and dewatering mechanisms, ongoing drainage projects and inter-departmental coordination, while stressing the need for timely execution of flood mitigation works to build a more resilient and flood-ready Guwahati.
The review meeting was chaired by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai at Janata Bhawan and attended by senior officials from the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Assam Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Limited (AUIDFCL), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Water Resources Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), Oil India Limited, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the Forest Department and other concerned agencies.