IIT-G launches survey to end Dibrugarh's waterlogging woes

Dibrugarh: A dedicated team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G) has initiated a detailed survey of Dibrugarh town's drainage system, focusing on finding a permanent solution to the persistent waterlogging issues that have plagued residents for years.

The survey led by Prof Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya comes in response to the town's severe flooding crisis in June, when Dibrugarh town remained submerged for three consecutive weeks, following which the state govt tasked IIT-Guwahati with finding a lasting solution to the waterlogging problem.

"Our primary goal is to assess the current state of the Dibrugarh Town Protection (DTP) drain, and ensure that any proposed solutions are sustainable and effective. We will gather critical data and analyse the dimensions of the drain including its length, breadth, and depth. Our team will then vet the structural designs and drawings of the new DTP drain project to ensure long-term sustainability," Prof Bhattacharjya on Wednesday said.

The 70-year-old Dibrugarh Town Protection drain, constructed in 1954, spans approximately 32 km from Seujpur to the Sessa river and serves as the town's primary drainage channel. However, years of neglect and and rampant encroachment, particularly in the 5.65km section of the drain within the town's limits, have severely compromised its efficiency.

"Our initial findings suggest that the drain's width is inconsistent throughout the town, which is a key factor contributing to the waterlogging issue. Land acquisition will be necessary to restore the drain to its standard size. Unless we achieve uniformity in the drain's width according to standard specifications, the waterlogging issues will persist. The successful execution of the project depends entirely on the availability of land for expansion," Bhattacharjya said.

A recent survey by the water resources department had identified 62 illegal structures occupying approximately 1612.5 square feet of the drain's area in the urban portion of the DTP drain. These encroachments have significantly reduced the drain's width to mere 2.9 metres in some sections, far below the required standard width of 10.7 metres within city limits.

The IIT team indicated that it would take at least one month to develop a comprehensive model for the drainage system after thoroughly analysing all relevant factors.

"We anticipate requiring at least 30 days to develop a perfect model after analysing all aspects. Our goal is to create a comprehensive solution that addresses the root causes of Dibrugarh's waterlogging problem," Bhattacharjya said.