The Assam government has reviewed the progress of the GIS-based Comprehensive Drainage Master Plan and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Bahini-Bharalu Basin as part of its efforts to address Guwahati’s recurring waterlogging and urban flooding problems.
The high-level meeting, held at Janata Bhawan, was chaired by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai, who led discussions on the proposed measures to strengthen the city’s stormwater drainage network and improve flood management.
Senior officials and technical experts examined the recommendations contained in the Comprehensive Drainage Master Plan and the DPR, with the deliberations focusing on the feasibility, sustainability and long-term effectiveness of the proposed interventions. The review comes against the backdrop of frequent urban flooding that continues to disrupt normal life in several parts of Guwahati during the monsoon season.
During the meeting, Rai stressed the need to develop a practical and resilient drainage system capable of significantly reducing waterlogging across the city. He directed the consultants associated with the project to revise and strengthen their proposals by incorporating the observations and recommendations put forward during the review.
The minister also instructed all stakeholders to undertake a detailed reassessment of the revised plans before granting final approval so that technical gaps and implementation challenges could be addressed comprehensively.
The discussions highlighted the importance of adopting an integrated and forward-looking strategy for urban flood management. Improving drainage efficiency, enhancing resilience to extreme rainfall events and ensuring the timely execution of priority infrastructure projects emerged as key focus areas during the meeting.
Among those present were Commissioner and Secretary of the Housing and Urban Affairs Department Kavitha Padmanabhan, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) Chief Executive Officer Anbamuthan M.P., Assam Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Limited (AUIDFCL) Managing Director Hivare Nisarg Gautam, Additional Managing Director Samprity Goswami, Public Works Department (Roads) Chief Engineer Hemanta Dewri Bharali, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) Chief Engineer Pradyumna Bordoloi, along with other senior officials.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving urban infrastructure, Rai called for close coordination among all departments involved to ensure the effective implementation of the drainage plan and deliver a lasting solution to Guwahati’s persistent flooding and waterlogging challenges.
