Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced a Rs 1,459 crore drainage and urban flood management project for Guwahati as the Assam government moves to address the city’s recurring flash flood and waterlogging crisis through long-term infrastructure measures.
The Chief Minister said Guwahati’s bowl-shaped geographical terrain, coupled with increasingly intense rainfall linked to climate change, has made urban flooding a persistent challenge in the city.
In a post on X, Sarma said the government was working on a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to tackle the issue through scientific planning and modern flood-management systems.
“Our government is committed to adopting long-term measures to tackle this issue and we’re working on a comprehensive plan to find a solution to it,” he said.
Bharalu, Bahini basins to get major funding
According to the proposed plan, the government will implement a GIS-based Storm Water Drainage and Urban Flood Management Project aimed at modernising Guwahati’s drainage infrastructure and improving its capacity to manage heavy rainfall.
The project proposes an allocation of Rs 500.95 crore for the Bahini Basin Project and Rs 958.10 crore for the Bharalu Basin Project, two of the city’s key drainage systems that frequently overflow during monsoon downpours.
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Officials said the initiative is designed to improve drainage efficiency, regulate water flow and reduce flood vulnerability in low-lying and densely populated areas of the city.
Smart drainage, pumping stations planned
As part of the broader urban flood mitigation strategy, the project also includes the installation of an automated pumping station at Bharalumukh to facilitate faster water discharge during heavy rainfall.
The government additionally plans to develop smart RCC drainage infrastructure and undertake river rejuvenation measures to strengthen Guwahati’s storm water management network.
Sarma said the state’s broader objective was to build a “flood-free Guwahati” through the use of advanced technology, scientific urban planning and modern infrastructure solutions.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over repeated urban flooding in Guwahati, where even short spells of heavy rain often trigger severe waterlogging, traffic disruption and damage to property across several localities.
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