CM proposes Guwahati's 1st sewerage project.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, in his budget for 2014-15, announced the city's first sewerage project. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1,700 crore.

Guwahati, which has been mentioned in the Mahabharata as Pragjyotishpur, does not have a sewerage system, making it one of the most unplanned cities in the country.

Battling annual artificial floods and water logging, Gogoi also proposed creation of a scientific storm-water drainage system and harped on protecting water channels and water bodies from further encroachment. The district authorities have been carrying out an eviction drive along water channels in the city for a month.

Gogoi also announced a ban on giving land from the hill areas surrounding the city to any person.

He said, 'It has been observed that the major causes of floods and water logging are encroachment of hill areas, felling of trees and earth cutting.'

In a bid counter the announcement, Gogoi proposed affordable housing for 10,000 among the urban poor in the city.

TOI