Major Step Toward Flood-Free Guwahati
In a significant move to tackle Guwahati's persistent flooding issues, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah inaugurated an ambitious integrated drain-cum-road project on Monday. The foundation stone was laid in Juripar, one of the city's most severely flood-affected areas located near Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.
Project Details and Design Features
The Rs 36 crore project represents a crucial component of the government's mission to make Guwahati flood-free. Minister Mallabaruah explained that the initiative will channel rainwater toward Silsako Beel, one of Guwahati's important wetlands, from where it will eventually flow into the Brahmaputra River.
The project will feature an open-drain design, specifically chosen to prevent blockages caused by silt and mud flowing down from the surrounding hills. This design consideration addresses one of the key challenges in the city's drainage system.
Addressing Root Causes of Flooding
Minister Mallabaruah highlighted the historical context behind Juripar's flooding problems. "Juripar is among the most flood-prone localities of Guwahati. The Juri stream, once capable of carrying large volumes of water, has gradually become narrow and shallow, reducing its natural drainage capacity," he stated.
The minister identified multiple factors contributing to the increased flooding: rapid urbanisation, Guwahati's hill-based topography, extensive deforestation, and development activities in the Meghalaya hills. These elements have collectively "sharply increased the volume and velocity of runoff water entering the Juripar area."
He elaborated that "the rainwater that Juripar now receives from the hills once entered the area slowly and was naturally regulated by thick forest cover."
Community Support and Broader Initiatives
The minister expressed gratitude toward local residents who demonstrated remarkable cooperation by voluntarily allowing adjustments to boundary walls and land wherever required for the project's implementation.
Regarding the project timeline, Mallabaruah acknowledged that "implementation took time due to various infrastructural and financial constraints, but we are grateful to the residents of Juripar for their cooperation in making this project possible."
Sharing updates on broader flood-mitigation measures, the minister revealed that excavation work at Silsako Beel, spanning nearly 800 bighas, is ongoing and will be completed within the current dry season. This comprehensive approach underscores the government's commitment to transforming Juripar into a flood-free locality.
The foundation stone laying ceremony marks a significant milestone in addressing the area's long-standing problem of artificial flooding during monsoon seasons, bringing hope to residents who have endured seasonal waterlogging for years.
