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Water-logging in Guwahati city (Letter)

Sir, At a recent seminar in Guwahati, the drainage problem of the city was discussed. It was revealed that when Lachit Nagar, Nabin Nagar etc., areas were under flood waters, there was hardly any water at Bharalu Pump House. It is due to obstruction of water flow due to encroachments, garbage dumping and service lines in the river Bahini/Bharalu. If these rivers are restored to their original width, and excavated to give proper gradient to the river beds and obstructions removed, water will flow and can be pumped out to the Brahmaputra at Bharalu Pump House. Water-logging in Zoo Road area, Nabin Nagar, Lachit Nagar and for that matter the entire catchment area of the rivers will be removed to a great extent. It is heartening to learn that the Water Resource Department is engaged in the job through machineries for increasing the flow of water in Bahini/Bharalu. Widening of the rivers to their original size, concrete lining the sides of the river and the bed, which will increase the flow by four times, grading the river in proper slope to the Bharalu Pumping Station, ban on hill cuttings for prevention of silting of the drains/river are must. This will relieve thousands of citizens from the chronic water-logging problem. The attention of the authorities, particularly that of young, dynamic and capable minister responsible for Guwahati development, health etc. is solicited. It is necessary that clearing of the river by machineries should be a continuous feature. It is also felt that management of the water-logging problem of the city should be brought under one agency for better accountability.