Guwahati: As many as 26 bridges in Guwahati that cross the Bahini River will be demolished.
This was informed by Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal on Monday.
Singhal informed that the bridges that are severely impeding the river and are a major contributor to the city’s artificial flooding will be demolished.
He said the bridges would be demolished while taking the inconvenience of the public into consideration.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (Metropolitan) issued an order to demolish 89 bridges over the Bahini River however, the minister later clarified, “As per new order, only 26 bridges instead of 89 bridges, will be demolished which are badly obstructing the Bahini River and have become major cause of artificial flood within Guwahati city. Public inconvenience has been kept in notice.”
The previous notice read, “Pursued the list of 89 (eighty Nine) nos. of bridges over the River Bahini submitted by the Commissioner, Guwahati Municipal Corporation which are obstructing the natural flow of water causing water logging problem in different places along the Bahini river.”
It should be noted that “Operation Flood-Free Guwahati” was started, and eviction drives are currently being carried out all throughout the city.
Before launching the mission, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal had said, “Eviction drive will be conducted soon in Guwahati at locations where people have illegally encroached lands near river and streams.”
The minister had placed the blame for the fake flooding and waterlogging that happen every time there is a significant downpour in the city on the residents of Guwahati.
He said, “Various steps have been taken to make the city flood-free including desilting of Bahini River that flows through the southern part of Guwahati and Lakshmi stream.”
The government also adopted a development scheme for the Bharalu River’s guard wall building.
Meanwhile, many eviction drives are in progress and drainage desilting has begun in different districts of Guwahati.