New pumping station inaugurated in Guwahati to check waterlogging

GUWAHATI: In a significant step towards mitigating the city’s battle against waterlogging, state minister for housing and urban affairs Ashok Singhal inaugurated the newly constructed Bondajan Pumping Station, a project implemented by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) on Thursday.

The station will play a pivotal role in addressing the persistent issue of waterlogging in the city.

Inaugurating the station, Singhal said, “The station will significantly enhance the pumping capacity at the sluice gate and effectively alleviate waterlogging by diverting excess water back to the Brahmaputra. This initiative would bring substantial relief to the people of Guwahati who have long endured the challenges posed by waterlogging.”

The construction of the new Bondajan Pumping Station was undertaken to increase the pumping capacity at the Bondajan sluice gate. The existing pump station, which is equipped with 2x 700 litters per second pumps, was faced with various challenges like the absence of sump pits, limiting its operational duration and rendering it insufficient for pumping out the required discharge. The new pump house will resolve these issues by incorporating sump pits, allowing for longer and more effective control of flash floods in the upstream area.

Singhal also underscored the importance of active citizen participation in government schemes and called upon all city dwellers to contribute towards the city’s cleanliness. He referred to the “Swachhta Hi Seva” campaign and encouraged the citizens to dedicate an hour to a cleanliness drive on October 1.

Now, petrol pumps at 11 more jails

The Haryana government has approved the installation of petrol pumps at 11 more jails in the state, following the success of a pilot project at Kurukshetra jail. The petrol pump at Kurukshetra jail generated an annual income of Rs 90 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The Indian Oil Corporation will set up the additional petrol pumps. The government is also planning to build new jails in Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, and Rohtak, and shift the Central Jail of Ambala outside the city.

Fuel pumps in Raj to stop retailing from October 1

Fuel pump dealers in Jaipur, India, have decided to resume their protest against the government's refusal to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel. They will switch off lights at the outlets between 8-10pm and stop selling auto fuels between 6am and 6pm starting from October 1. If the government does not act, they will go on an indefinite strike from October 2. Some fuel stations have already switched off lights in response to the association's call.

Heavy rain leaves city waterlogged

Inconsistent rain in Patna over two consecutive days brought relief from the hot weather but caused waterlogging in many areas. The meteorologists have issued an orange alert for the city, warning of rain and thunderstorms. The Patna Municipal Corporation responded actively, draining the water from affected areas. However, some areas still experienced waterlogging, leading to traffic jams and power disruptions. Residents expressed difficulties in navigating through the flooded streets, especially during school hours.