in a bid to provide the residents of Guwahati with some respite from water-logging and its consequent health problems, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority ( gmda ) has chalked out a Rs 67-crore stormwater drainage scheme. The loan has been sanctioned by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation ( hudco ). The project will be implemented in a phased manner during this year.

Chief executive officer of gmda D N Saikia said the scheme will be implemented by the departments of public works, town and country planning and flood control, while gmda will act as a nodal agency.

He added that the scheme covered the Bharalu and Mora Bharalu rivers, the two main drainage channels of Guwahati. Under the scheme, the gmda will also construct chambers to reduce the siltation. Moreover wooden bridges will be replaced by concrete bridges and the sluice gate near Pragjyotish College will be shifted elsewhere.