Dibrugarh residents face waterlogging problem due to unplanned drainage

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: The residents of Dibrugarh are facing waterlogging problem due to the unplanned drainage system of the town. Incessant rain during the last 24 hours has caused water logging in some areas of the town. The people living near Dibrugarh University National Highway-37 are facing waterlogging problem due to unplanned drainage.

"The local MLA Prasanta Phukan and Dibrugarh district administration have failed miserably to solve the waterlogging problem. Even after several pleas from Kumarnisinga Unnayan Samiti to the Dibrugarh district administration and the local MLA, nothing has been done to solve the problem. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during a programme in Dibrugarh University, assured the residents living near NH-37 that a drain would be constructed to solve the waterlogging problem. But till date no work has started in this regard," alleged a local resident.

He said, "Every year we are facing a waterlogging problem because there is no drain which can flush out the rain water. The local MLA does not understand our problem but during the election he comes to us seeking votes."

The local residents of Dibrugarh are disappointed over the functioning of the district administration. "Due to the poor drainage system, the people of the town are facing the waterlogging problem. Earlier, Dibrugarh Municipal Board (DMB) had not taken any initiative for the construction of drains in the wards. In most of the wards under DMB, waterlogging is the major problem," said Dipen Das, a local resident of Dibrugarh town.

The Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) drain has lost its capacity to flush out rain water from the town. In some areas it overflows because of human encroachment near the drain and it blocks the water.

Speaking to The Sentinel, DMB chairman, Dr Saikat Patra said, "Our board is very new and all our ward commissioners are working to clean the drain which are blocked. The government has already sanctioned funds for the construction of drains in Dibrugarh. The PWD has been given the charge for the construction of drains. We will give topmost priority for the construction of drains in Dibrugarh."

He said, "In some areas the drains were blocked and our workers are working to clear the drains. We have already started our work for cleaning drains in all the affected areas of the town."

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