SGBG on city development
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Oct 29: Reminding Dispur of its best-laid plans going astray, Save Guwahati Build Guwahati (SGBG) has appealed to the government to see what makes its plans go awry.
This reporter had an interaction with SGBG president Krishno K Borooah on development and development plans afoot in Guwahati, including the two proposed criss-cross flyovers. “We need development. However, we need to see what needs to be developed, and where? In the run-up to the construction of the flyover at Ulubari in the city the catchword was that the flyover would not need any police personnel to mage traffic there. However, it is now seen that the prediction has gone wrong. We still need at least three traffic police personnel manning the flyover. This reflects that the planning wasn’t that accurate. This apart, traffic congestion is seen below the flyover,” he said, and added: “We need more flyovers. What’s more important is the selection of the spots. We need a flyover each at Beltola, Lokhara and Bharalumukh. Before taking up such projects, we need to have a well-laid system so as to make projects go hassle-free. The thrust shouldn’t be on flyovers alone. We need to develop the draige and sewerage system in the city as well.”
Borooah said: “The ked wires in the city have been causing much trouble. They haven’t been made underground as yet. No new roads have been constructed in the city after the construction of VIP Road from Six Mile to rengi by then Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia. Don’t we need more roads? Rather the government has been closing roads. The road from Guwahati Railway Station to MG Road has been closed recently. A food court is there now. The road running along the MMCH Pediatrics Centre has also been closed. The closure of some roads for unloading and unloading in the Fancy Bazar area has made the market too congested. Closure of exit points in the city like the one at Gauhati Club make people to opt for meandering courses, needing more time and fuel.”
Borooah made it a point that all roads constructed by British-India in Guwahati are from North-South, for the breeze from the Brahmaputra flows North-South. “The breeze is supposed to keep the city cool. However, pollution has spelt doom everything now,” he said.
On the recently announced stretch of MG Road from Bharalumukh to Sukreswar Temple as walking zone, Borooah said: “MG Road isn’t a residential area. Since the road has been closed for a period from 4pm-10 pm, other roads in the area have become more and more congested. This isn’t a well-planned announcement.”
On the automated parking lot near Shraddhanjali Kan on RG Baruah Road, Borooah said: “The spot isn’t a posh area. There’s no big shopping mall, nor is there any big market. Only the park and State Zoo-cum-botanical Garden are there. The zoo has its own parking arrangements. Only beneficiaries are those residing at Spanish Garden. Those who want to market at Ganeshguri have no reason to park their cars at the parking lot and go to Ganeshguri on foot. If this isn’t waste of money, what else is?” Borooah said: “Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal needs a think-tank as it’s not possible for him to keep a watch and mind on each and every department. I see no reason as to why the State Health Department is going to provide new health centre in every district at a time when it fails to provide the required infrastructure to the five medical colleges in the State.” On the poor administrative control of the government, Borooah said: “The Gauhati High Court has ruled that the market at Beltola Tiniail should remain open from 6 am to 10 am only. However, the market is seen to remain open throughout the day. Can’t the government execute even court orders?”