GUWAHATI, Oct 14: ‘‘The State Government is simply not interested in solving the problems faced by the residents of the city,’’ said Dhiren Barua, president of Save Guwahati, Build Guwahati (SGBG), at a press meet in Guwahati today.
No doubt, the State Government has initiated development works in the city, but these are not enough in view of the problems faced by the residents at large, Barua said.
‘‘While the GMC, GMDA, PWD and GDD are responsible for carrying out development works in the city, there are loopholes in one way or the other. While the GMDA’s infrastructure is incomplete, the GMC is a powerless body. The PWD is also not clear on the concept of urban development,’’ he said.
Drinking water crisis is a major problem in the city and nothing substantial has been done in this regard. Although the Central Government had sanctioned an amount of Rs 280 crore from the JNNURM fund long back, the State Government has started the work only recently.
In view of the ever-increasing problems of the city denizens, SGBG today submitted a memorandum to the Asom Chief Minister, Deputy Commissioner (Metro), GMC Commissioner and PWD (Roads) Chief Engineer demanding solution to the problems at the earliest.
Their list of demands include creation of open spaces along the bank of the Brahmaputra, relocation of residences of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to other areas, development of Bir Lachit Borphukan Uddyan along the bank of the Brahmaputra in the lines of Kamala Nehru Uddyan in Mumbai, clearing of encroachment near the water outlet areas, development of a better city transport system, introduction of circular train system, evacuation of slums along the railway lines starting from Panikhaiti to Maligaon, introduction of a water transport route from Chandrapur to the DC’s office, initiation of research and survey on water-logging problem, relocation of the Paltan Bazaar fish market in the greater interest of people, development of Adabari bus stand, launch of a city bus service from Latasil to Guwahati Refinery Sector II, completion of alternative roads at the earliest, demolition of unsafe buildings in Pan Bazaar, prevention of illegal cutting of trees and illegal earth cutting, steps to prevent illegal encroachment, to name a few.
The organization has also opposed the final Master Plan 2025. In this regard, Barua said, ‘‘The final master plan is not acceptable as it is against general public interests.’’ He appealed to the Government to review the master plan and come up with an alternative plan in the greater welfare of the city dwellers. THE SENTINEL
No comments:
Post a Comment