Guwahati, 03 November (HS): Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness for Mission Flood-Free Guwahati ahead of the 2027 monsoon, inaugurated a new scientific waste management facility and launched the Swachhata Sakhi App as part of initiatives to improve urban infrastructure and civic services.

The review meeting on Mission Flood-Free Guwahati was held at the Assam Secretariat in the presence of Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota. The meeting discussed recurring urban flooding in Guwahati, existing shortcomings and necessary interventions to address the problem. The preparedness of various agencies and their proposed action plans for the 2027 monsoon were also reviewed.

A major focus of the meeting was the systematic cleaning and desilting of drains under a proposed year-round Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

All drains in Guwahati have been categorised into three priority groups with prescribed desilting schedules to ensure regular maintenance.

Rai directed the concerned agencies to ensure coordinated action, accountability and regular monitoring, and complete the proposed interventions within stipulated timelines before the next monsoon.

Later, the minister chaired a video conference with District Commissioners of all districts to discuss the constitution of new Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in eligible areas and delimitation of existing ULBs across Assam. He directed all District Commissioners to submit their proposals by November 10, so that these could be placed before the Cabinet for consideration and approval.

As part of efforts to strengthen scientific solid waste management, Rai inaugurated a Static Refuse Transfer Station-cum-Material Recovery Facility at Adabari in Guwahati. The facility has a processing capacity of 150 tonnes per day (TPD) at the Refuse Transfer Station and 100 TPD at the Material Recovery Facility. It is expected to improve waste transportation, facilitate scientific handling and increase the recovery of recyclable materials.

The minister also attended the award distribution ceremony of the Swachh Durga Puja Competition 2026, organised by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), at Sri Sri Damodardev International Auditorium in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra.

A total of 175 Durga Puja committees were awarded for maintaining cleanliness and adopting environmentally responsible practices during the festivities.

On the occasion, Rai launched the Swachhata Sakhi App to strengthen citizen participation in cleanliness initiatives. He also distributed NAMASTE cards of the Government of India to five sanitation workers in recognition of their contribution.

Addressing the gathering, the minister said cleanliness could not be achieved through municipal efforts alone and required active public participation and a sense of civic responsibility. He said the newly launched application would make cleanliness initiatives more accessible and effective by strengthening citizen engagement.

Rai congratulated the award-winning Puja committees and appreciated the GMC for promoting cleanliness and environmental awareness through community participation.

The Mission Flood-Free Guwahati review meeting was attended by GMC Mayor Mrigen Sarania, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs Kavitha Padmanabhan, Kamrup Metropolitan District Commissioner Swapnil Paul, PWD Commissioner and Secretary Sanjeev Syam, GMC Commissioner Chinmoy Prakash Phookan and representatives of various concerned departments.

The inauguration of the waste management facility was attended by GMC officials and Hemanta Chaudhury, OSD to the Chief Minister.

The award distribution ceremony was attended by Guwahati MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, New Guwahati MLA Dipluranjan Sarma, Central Guwahati MLA Bijay Kumar Gupta, GMC Deputy Mayor Smita Roy, OSD to the Chief Minister Asim Saikia, GMC councillors and other elected representatives and officials.

Through these initiatives, the state government reiterated its commitment to improving urban governance, strengthening civic infrastructure and developing a cleaner and more flood-resilient Guwahati.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash