Guwahati News Desk: Artificial flood is one of the main problems of the city. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has started the process of cleaning drains and natural channels to rid the city of the problem of waterlogging. On Monday, workers were seen cleaning the Bahini River in the Basistha area with the help of and excavators (JCBs).
A GMC official said, “We have started the process of de-silting and cleaning the drains and natural drainage channels in the city to deal with the problem of waterlogging and artificial flooding under the direction of the Chief Minister. The cleanliness drive started today along the route of the Bahini River. Today the drains in Basistha and Rukminigaon were cleaned. Soon we will clean the drains in Jonali and Bharalumukh areas.”
He further said, “Cleaning the drains is taking time because people throw garbage and plastic bottles in the drains. People should throw garbage in dustbins and not in drains.”
The GMC official said that they would be cleaning the five major channels that drain out the rainwater – Bharalu, Mora Bharalu, Basistha, Bahini and Lakhimijan– within seven months. These channels need immediate cleaning to check flash floods, he added.
The official further said that cleaning of drains and natural drainage channels would be a continuous process and would continue even during the rainy season. “We will try to clean all the drains in the city by April next year,” he added.