A flooded road in Anil Nagar. File picture

Aug. 13: Dispur is flooded — for a change with ideas to tackle the problem of waterlogging.

The government had invited suggestions from the public to solve the problem of artificial floods in the city. The response has been overwhelming.

An official said the government had already started working on some of the recommendations.

The government expects to receive more suggestions from citizens to solve the perennial problem that submerges the city streets even after a smart shower.

Individuals and organisations were asked to submit their plans in writing at the offices of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority and the chief minister.

“Many NGOs, including Save Guwahati Build Guwahati, and prominent citizens have suggested that Silsako Beel must be cleared of encroachments and developed to increase its capacity for reserving rainwater,” the official said.

“The government has already initiated steps to clear encroachments in and around the beel. The water resource department has been asked to divert rainwater coming down from the hills of Meghalaya through the Bahini to Silsako Beel. This would prevent waterlogging in several areas along the GS Road,” he added.

The government is also constructing floodwalls along the Bharalu to prevent rainwater from overflowing into areas like Anil Nagar and Mathura Nagar on the basis of suggestions put forward by the residents.

The locals also recommended construction of sluice gates to prevent back flow of water from the Bharalu.

The unnayan samities from Japorigog, Zoo Road, Lachit Nagar and Nabin Nagar have suggested construction of a stormwater drainage to directly flush out rainwater from Noonmati and Bamunimaidam to the Brahmaputra from Soonsali Ghat.

At present, water overflows from the Bharalu and submerges these areas.

“The government will constitute an expert committee by the end of this month to examine and study all the suggestions and recommendations made by individuals and organisations. Based on these suggestions, the government will chalk out a final comprehensive report and take short and long term measures to solve the problem of waterlogging,” the official said.