Guwahati, 11 July (HS): In a step towards building critical infrastructure for a disaster-resilient Assam, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) organised a Contractor’s Conclave at Ratnamouli Palace on Friday.
Speaking during the inaugural session, Meenakshi Das Nath, ACS, Additional CEO of ASDMA, emphasised the need for multi-purpose flood shelters in Assam to reduce pressure on the state’s existing relief shelters. She highlighted that disaster-resilient infrastructure is essential for Assam, and ASDMA, under the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program (AIRBMP), is actively pursuing this goal. She also urged contractors to meaningfully participate in this critical journey.
AIRBMP, supported by the World Bank, aims to enhance Assam’s disaster resilience through a combination of institutional reforms and strategic infrastructure investments.
ASDMA’s core interventions under AIRBMP focus on civil construction for flood preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery across 11 districts of Assam in the initial phase. Key projects include the construction of new multi-purpose flood shelters, each designed to accommodate up to 500 people during floods and emergencies. Simultaneously, ASDMA is upgrading selected school buildings currently used as flood relief shelters by strengthening their structural integrity and enhancing functionality.
Arabinda Kalita, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Assam, stressed the need for improved training facilities to strengthen the disaster response capabilities of SDRF personnel and community volunteers.
As part of this initiative, ASDMA is also upgrading the Central Training Institute (CTI), Panikhaiti, to support the training of Circle Quick Response Teams (CQRTs) and other first responders, thereby reinforcing disaster response capacity across the state.
Additionally, Material Banks to store life-saving equipment and Circle Emergency Operation Centres (CEOCs) are being constructed in seven districts, with plans for expansion to all districts of Assam.
Earlier, RK Mazumdar, Deputy CEO of FREMAA, provided a comprehensive overview of the various AIRBMP initiatives led by FREMAA, WRD, and ASDMA, aimed at promoting integrated flood management and mitigating disaster impacts in Assam.
A vibrant interactive session with contractors followed, where ASDMA officials addressed a range of issues related to project technicalities, procurement processes, and financial procedures.
Also present at the conclave were Mahendra Mohan Das, Additional Chief Engineer, PWD (Building), and Mr. Bhaskar Jyoti Das, Chief Technical Officer, FREMAA.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
