The symposium conducted by Save Guwahati, Build Guwahati in progress. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

Dec. 25: Citizens under the aegis of Save Guwahati, Build Guwahati launched a blistering attack against Dispur for its lackadaisical attitude in developing the city.

The activists said the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), the principal agency for development of Guwahati, has not been getting any budgetary support from the government.

A seminar organised by the NGO on Vision of Guwahati by 2028 to chalk out steps for future development of the city, opined that the government has not taken Guwahati’s myriad problems seriously.

Dhiren Baruah, a member of the organisation, said the GMDA should be provided with adequate budgetary support as it is running on loan account since its inception.

He said all major development activities in the city should be routed through the GMDA and it should be reactivated with proper infrastructure. Citing an instance of the reluctance of the government in developing the city, he said a 1992 scheme for supplying drinking water for two million people has still not been implemented. Neither has the 1965 drainage and sewerage plan been adopted.

“We have been hearing on the above schemes for a long time but nothing has been done till now,” he added.

On the other hand, the Gauhati Municipal Corporation (GMC), supposed to provide the civic amenities, does not have enough funds to implement its plans, Baruah said.

He alleged that there is no provision for drainage and sewerage for a fast growing city like Guwahati and if this state of affairs is allowed to continue, it will be a dead city in the next decade.

Baruah said apart from drinking water, the government does not have any other scheme to submit either.

Amar Hazarika, another member, said administrative failure is the reason for the schemes not being implemented. Citing an example, he said there has been talk for a long time on shifting of Guwahati Jail from its current location but nothing has been done so far.

On the population pressure on the city, he said North Guwahati should be developed as a satellite town to absorb the extra burden.

The participants agreed that an alternative to GNB Road from the stadium overbridge to Noonmati alongside the railway track should be built.

The seminar recommended that the government should chalk out a five year plan for the development of the city on both short and long-term basis.

It also addressed the need for creating more open space saying the authorities should see that no construction of any kind is allowed on the open spaces of the city.

The participants said only sports events should be held on Judges Field.

Those who spoke on the occasion included former chief secretary H.. Das and former vice-chancellor of Gauhati University .K. Choudhury.