Drainage systems unable to cope with pace of urban expansion: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Admitting that unplanned urbanization had caused artificial floods, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday put focus on the urgent need for improved drainage infrastructure, noting that the current systems were unable to cope with the pace of urban expansion.

Sarma made a second trip of flood-hit Barak Valley within three days and on Friday he visited Sribhumi and Hailakandi districts. He inspected various relief camps and interacted with the inmates. Later addressing a press meet, the Chief Minister acknowledged that rapid urban development without adequate drainage planning is contributing to recurring instances of artificial flooding in key cities across the state.

“If there is vacant land somewhere, water can go there. But if a building comes up two days later, where will the water go,” maintaining this, Sarma said, “As development progresses, the issue of artificial floods will keep coming up.”

Emphasising on the urgent need for improved drainage infrastructure and noting that the current systems were unable to cope with the pace of urban expansion, Sarma said, “We will have to make better drainage. There would be another issue though of how far would the drainage take away water?” he added.

The Chief Minister pointed out that in the past, Guwahati used to face the chronic problem of waterlogging during the rainy season, but now similar concerns are emerging in the cities of Dibrugarh and Silchar. Stating that while development is essential, it must be accompanied by sustainable urban planning to prevent repeated flooding, Sarma said, “We will have to come up with drainage solutions and resolve this.”

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