While river Bharalu is a pain in the neck for the residents of Guwahati during monsoon season, the Guwahati Smart City Ltd (GSCL) has decided to prepare a feasibility report for better maintenance of the clogged river.
The 7.8 km-long Bharalu river has been neglected over the years, and practically killed due to total unscientific development of Guwahati city. The heavily silted and clogged river is the main cause behind the flash floods in thickly populated Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar and Tarun Nagar areas.
According to official website of the GSCL, a master plan for the development of Bharalu with landscaping details from Jonali Bridge to Bharalumukh will soon be prepared. It also plans cleaning and re-sectioning of the polluted river.
Construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with a capacity of 85.5 MLD (considering the flow in the year 2050) near Ulubari fish feed farm, using Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) Technology for Bharalu is being planned, the GSCL claimed.
Interceptor pipe drains along the river Bharalu to collect the sewage from either side of the river is being planned, the GSCL website claimed.
Moreover, it also talked about release of the treated water from the STP to Bharalu river to maintain the ecological flow and help creating a cleaner waterfront along the river.
It further claimed that the work for supply of the treated waste water to the industries nearby Guwahati is in progress. “Treated wastewater will be supplied to some of the government buildings nearby for gardening,” the website claimed.
The GSCL talked about diversion of some flow from Bharalu to Morabharalu river. Moreover, it talked about construction of a new bridge at Jonali with increased clearance and utility corridor provision and pathways.
The feasibility report will look into some of the important issues like dismantling of existing wooden bridges, construction of pedestrian and RCC bridges with pathways and utility corridor.
Considering the new re-sectioning requirements, the GSCL plans to dismantle the existing stone masonry walls and has proposed to construct retaining walls all along the banks up to Bharalumukh pumping station.
Development of walkway over the river along its banks, children play area, public toilets, and drinking water points will also be part of the feasibility study. Landscaping and generation of solar power are the part of the development of the riverfront.
The GSCL claimed topographical survey, water quality sampling, dry weather flow measurement and geotechnical investigations have already been completed.
