JORHAT, July 8 ? A comprehensive drainage masterplan worth Rs 15.19 crore and prepared by the Jorhat Development Authority (JDA) has been approved recently by the Centre, a press release issued by the district administration here said. Besides clearing of natural drains criss-crossing the city, construction of culverts and footpaths have also been included in the masterplan. To be implemented in a phasewise manner as soon as funds earmarked for the project is released, widening and clearance of the Tocklai rivulet, Mohuajan, Tarajan, Duborijan and Khorasorajan streams with also be undertaken for facilitating free flow of accumulated storm water, which otherwise creates water-logging and leads to flash floods.
Obstruction clearance work is already under way at the natural passageways with the help of excavators, the note added. While efforts are on between the JDA chairman Padma Nath Sarma and the Deputy Commissioner J Shyamala Rao to optimise drainage efficiency and help boost enjoyment of other civic amenities by the tax-paying public, constructive suggestions from right-thinking individuals and organisations prior to implementation of the project have been solicited.
Ankiya Bhaona fest: The Asom Satra Mahasabha has resolved to hold the second consecutive ?Setubandha? programme in the city from November 12, where tribal artistes will perform Ankiya Bhaona spread over a four-day period. Conceived to serve multi-pronged objectives like synthesising diverse cultural patterns of different ethnicity through a vital ingredient germane to the Bhakti cult, the organisers have arranged for Karbi, Tiwa, Deuri, Rabha, Naga and Moran-Muttuck artistes to perform at the four-day Ankiya Bhaona festival.
After having successfully staged the first-ever ?Setubandha? programme at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra at Guwahati last year in collaboration with the Srimanta Foundation, the Mahasabha had then arranged for artistes hailing from Bodo, Mising, Sonowal-Kachari, Nepali and tea tribe communities to perform at the three-day, ?tribal Ankiya Bhaona festival?. A preparatory meeting held at the Mahasabha?s Kala Bhawan here at Rajabari on July 4 constituted a reception committee with Dr Nabin Chandra Bordoloi as president, advocate Bhaba Goswami as working president and Sri Lakhi Kanta Mahanta as general secretary respectively. Several sub-committees with representatives from tribal communities will also be formed, an office-bearer of the Mahasabha informed.