As the problem of urban flooding grows across India, Guwahati – an important political and economic hub in the country’s northeast – is piloting a new flood warning system.
Why Guwahati?
Guwahati was selected for the project after consultation with the state and the NDMA. An important economic and commercial center, Guwahati experiences flooding every year. A bout of heavy rainfall, particularly during the rainy season, is enough to clog the natural and artificial drains, leading to flooding of areas of the city and bringing life to a screeching halt.
What is the role of Guwahati Municipal Corporation?
GMC plays the most important role during the flood as well as before the monsoon. GMC, Commissioner led the team including the additional commissioner, joint commissioner, chief engineer, divisional engineers, GMC workers and a few others to inspect the status of every flood area.
Cleaning of drains, speedy disposal of general waste, field inspection are going on full swing by the team led by GMC, newly appointed Commissioner Devasish Sharma.
Although every year, GMC does the same thing, it doesn’t work somewhere. Guwahatians have to face the same flood issue during the monsoon period. But hope is still there among the public as soon as the new commissioner joined the department.
Speaking to Headline 8, Devasish Sharma, GMC Commissioner said, “I believe in fieldwork rather than file work. The pain of public faces during a flood can be understood if I personally visit the flood-affected areas.”
It is also seen that since the day commissioner has joined he is very active in his role on the field visiting every corner of the city, interacting with the public about their problems and assuring them to solve their issues on time.
Adding Sharma said, “When senior officers like us come out to the field it gives all the juniors on the field to work more sincerely. Our team is working 24*7 so that this year Guwahatians can face less problem during the monsoon. I personally visiting the field till wee hours to support all the workers. Our team will try its best to save Guwahati from the flood. The main problem in the city is there is no alternative way of draining the flash flood water.”
He also said that we are trying our level best to reach every citizen so that they can share their problems. Not only his team, Sharma himself is been very active in every corner of the city.
The Commissioner also visited Jalukbari, Nabin Nagar, Anil Nagar, Gauhati University campus, wetland area behind GU Campus, and many other places. He then interacted with all the local people discussing various problems and how can public help them to control floods. Commissioner also visited the Khanajan channel.
Now, time will say how the ideas of the new commissioner really work! A real picture of Guwahati can be said on monsoon.
Also Read: RJD MP Amarendra Dhari Singh Arrested by ED over Fertilizer Scam