Ashok Singhal holds meetings with top officials to control floods

Dispur: Assam's Housing and Urban Affairs and Irrigation Minister Ashok Singhal on Monday held several meetings with top officials of Mission Banmukt Guwahati, Mission Amrut, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Technical Branch of Housing and Urban Affairs and Directorate of Urban and Rural Planning to discuss flood-related projects amid the ongoing monsoons.

The meeting also discussed the long-term measures to be taken under 'Mission Flood Free Guwahati' to pave the way for an effective solution to the problem of artificial flooding in Guwahati city. 

"[Guwahati's] sewers should be completely de-wasted and the natural streams of water should be cleaned," Singhal said, according to an official release. He stressed taking effective measures to stop illegal excavation and illegal construction and prevent encroachment on rivers and reservoirs to clear the sewers. He directed the office bearers of Guwahati Municipal Corporation and Mission Flood Free Guwahati to work in coordination with the councils of Guwahati Municipal Corporation as well as the forest department for this purpose.

The meeting also discussed the latest status of urban drinking water supply schemes undertaken in various cities of the state under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), to provide universal water supply.

The meeting also reviewed the Nagaon Water Supply Scheme for Rs 238.33 crore, Dibrugarh Water Supply Scheme for Rs 193.93 crore and the Shillong Water Supply Scheme for Rs 177.47 crore under the first phase of the mission. The Minister also inspected the progress of water supply projects in North Lakhimpur, Lakshipur (Kachar), Kokrajhar, Tinsukia, Bilasipara, Shilchar (Phase II) and Rangia and gave necessary directives to the concerned officers

In a separate meeting, Minister Singhal emphasized solid waste management, wastewater management, proper supervision of public toilets, and ensuring 100 percent garbage collection from the houses of residents of municipalities under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). The Minister also held two other important meetings with the Technical Branch of the Housing and Urban Affairs Department and top officials of the Directorate of Urban and Rural Planning.

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