Guwahati, July 15 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced a Rs 150 crore flood mitigation project for Jorabat under the proposed Guwahati Ring Road, saying the initiative is intended to provide a permanent solution to the recurring flash floods that disrupt normal life in the strategically important gateway to the state.
Making the announcement during the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Sarma said the recent flash flood in Jorabat, which inundated several localities and brought traffic to a standstill, underscored the need for long-term engineering interventions rather than temporary relief measures.
The Chief Minister informed the House that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Guwahati Ring Road has earmarked Rs 150 crore exclusively for flood control measures in Jorabat. He said consultants engaged for the project are preparing the technical drawings for the proposed works and have been directed to obtain approval from IIT Guwahati before execution to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the design.
Sarma expressed confidence that the flood mitigation component of the Ring Road project would significantly reduce the risk of flash floods in the area once construction begins.
Highlighting another long-standing concern, the Chief Minister said Jorabat has emerged as one of the state’s most congested traffic corridors because of its location on the Assam-Meghalaya border and the increasing volume of vehicles passing through the junction every day.
To ease pressure on the existing route, CM Sarma announced that the state government has proposed widening the Digaru-Narangi road into a four-lane highway. According to him, the upgraded road will provide an alternative approach for vehicles travelling from Jagiroad and neighbouring areas towards Guwahati, thereby reducing congestion at Jorabat.
He also appealed to the legislators representing the Dimoria and Dispur Assembly constituencies to extend their support in facilitating land acquisition and other requirements necessary for the road expansion project.
The announcements form part of the Assam government’s broader strategy to strengthen urban infrastructure in the Guwahati metropolitan region through integrated transport planning, improved drainage systems and climate-resilient infrastructure aimed at mitigating the impact of extreme weather events and ensuring smoother connectivity.
–IANS
tdr/uk