Guwahati: With an aim to mitigate the waterlogging problem in the city, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has planned to divert channels of storm water in different parts of this city.

As part of the plan, in the first phase, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority has proposed to divert storm water from Zoo Road, the area affected by waterlogging every year.

"Because of geographical conditions, rain water from the Jyotinagar Hill catchment area starting from Bamunimaidan to Sunsali Hill, including Guwahati Refinery complex, flows towards Bharalu via Zoo Road and creates havoc in areas like Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar. So the GMDA has proposed to divert the storm water of these catchment areas towards Bonda Jan and then to the Brahmaputra," a statement issued by GMDA on Saturday said.

Under the project, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority has constructed a drain 1,700m in length, 6m in width and 3 to 5.50m in depth from Bamunimaidan to Noonmati to prevent the existing flow of water towards Zoo Road along with installation of pump of 4,000 litres per second capacity to divert water through this Noonmati drainage system at a cost of Rs 26 crore.

"It is expected that at least 25 per cent of the water level of RG Baruah Road will be reduced because of diversion of this storm water using this proposed prevention method," the statement said.