Civic problems require micro management where there may not be a straight-jacket solution. In order to help wards develop a sense of responsibility, a unique initiative was started where Ward Unnayan Samitees will look into the well-being of an area by conducting various programmes, including Ward Talks.
A brainchild of Guwahati-based weekly G Plus, the platform will help connect the Ward Unnayan Samitee members with the local administration and various government departments like GMC, GMDA and police for interaction and exchange of ideas.
“G Plus has been featuring a column called ‘Ward Watch’ since its inception. To further supplement the purpose of the column – which is to initiate some tangible improvements in the city starting with the micro-level of the ward – the media house had been mulling with a concept whereby the people of a particular ward and the representatives of the Ward Unnayan Samitee could be brought together onto a common platform,” stated a release.
The third phase of the initiative was carried on November 12 at Rukmininagar Auditorium, Beltola where members of Ward 26 – which includes several areas under Dispur, Beltola and Kahilipara – participated and discussed issues like drinking water problem, theft, lack of street lights etc. However, the panelists who were invited from various departments, failed to make an appearance for the interactive session.
On the panel of the event were Purna Lal Senapati, ex-general manager, The Sentinel Group, representatives of development committees of the ward Reboti Mohan Hazarika and Bijoy Goswami and councilor of Ward number 26 Manjula Kakoti. The members discussed ways to address issues such as drinking water, traffic, lack of street lights and also issues of flood, garbage collection and de-siltation of drainage systems among others.
Raising the issue of the half constructed Rukmini Nagar auditorium, Reboti Mohan Hazarika said, “Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi inaugurated the ground floor of the auditorium but till date the other floors remain unconstructed. Nobody is taking the responsibility of the work.”
