Angry Citizens Rally Against Urban Floods: Protest Erupts Outside GMDA Office in Guwahati
Guwahati: On Monday, members of the Mahanagar Unnayan Samiti, an umbrella organization of civil society groups in Guwahati, staged a protest outside the Guwahati Municipal Development Authority (GMDA) office. The protest was driven by concerns over persistent urban flooding and the recent death of an eight-year-old boy who fell into an open drain on July 6. The protestors demanded an immediate cover for all the city drains to prevent further tragedies, submitting a memorandum to GMDA Chairman Narayan Deka.
Biren Sarma, General Secretary of the Mahanagar Unnayan Samiti, highlighted that urban floods have been afflicting Guwahati for decades, causing severe inconvenience and damage. He criticized consecutive governments for failing to devise a permanent solution. Sarma pointed out that over 300 drains in the city remain uncovered, increasing risk to residents. He called for an in-depth study by institutions like Gauhati University, IIT-G, and Assam Engineering College, arguing that merely setting up pumps won’t resolve the problem.
Addressing the memorandum, GMDA Chairman Narayan Deka stated that a drainage master plan has been prepared and implementation work would commence soon.
In another related development, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority recently conducted a flood control review, emphasizing swift desilting of drains, removal of encroachments, and close monitoring of waterlogging hotspots. The Lieutenant Governor (LG) urged round-the-clock monitoring and relief measures to mitigate flood impacts.
The issue of urban flooding remains a critical challenge for Indian cities, demanding comprehensive and sustainable solutions at both local and systemic levels.
Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/protest-against-urban-floods-outside-gmda-office/articleshow/111767641.cms
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