Guwahati: Two major projects will bolster Guwahati’s defences against urban flooding, with over Rs 4,400 crore earmarked for the initiatives, housing and urban affairs minister Kaushik Rai told the assembly on Tuesday.Responding to MLA Bikan Chandra Deka, Rai said the Centre approved the Rs 2,213-crore rejuvenation and bioremediation of Silsako Beel under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. The project aims to restore the wetland’s ecological health and water-retention capacity.Another Rs 2,200-crore Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Programme has been sanctioned under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund. GMDA is executing 11 projects to improve stormwater drainage, flood resilience and disaster preparedness.The works include drains connecting NH-27 with West Boragaon and Dighar Beel, a drainage system from Khanapara to Basistha, rejuvenation of the Juri river and channels linking Sarumotoria and the Juri river with Silsako Beel.Other measures include flood walls and aquifer discharge systems along GS Road in Rukminigaon, upgraded pump houses, retention ponds, silt traps, underground reservoirs and rainwater-harvesting structures.Flood early warning and SCADA systems, public awareness programmes and technology-based monitoring of Guwahati’s hills are also planned.GMDA is preparing a GIS-based comprehensive drainage master plan and detailed project report under the Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Programme with Asian Development Bank assistance.GMDA operates pumping stations at Silsako Beel, Bonda and Noonmati and two trolley-mounted pumps at Sarumotoria to evacuate stormwater during heavy rain.Rai said rainwater harvesting was mandatory under the Assam Unified Building Construction (Regulation) Bye-laws, 2022, for buildings seeking construction permission. Authorities must verify that such systems are functional before issuing occupancy certificates.
