Jorhat DC issues order against illegal highway drain blockages to tackle waterlogging
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Dibrugarh: Jorhat DC Jay Shivani has issued stringent directives under the Disaster Management Act-2005, mandating the installation of proper drainage structures for all access roads connecting to the national highway in Jorhat district.
The order comes in response to severe waterlogging issues caused by unauthorised construction activities along the highway's right-of-way (ROW).
The comprehensive directive, issued with immediate effect on Thursday, addresses concerns raised by the general manager (Projects) of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) regarding illegal construction practices that have been severely disrupting stormwater flow during monsoon seasons.
According to the order, residents and commercial establishments have been creating direct access roads to the NH by filling up earthen drains without installing adequate drainage infrastructure. This practice has led to significant waterlogging problems across multiple sections of the highway and its service lanes, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and residents alike.
"If such kind of activities are allowed without any hindrance or check, the waterlogging problem on the NH will create immense hardship not only to the commuters but also to the residents of areas adjacent to NH and the public in general," stated DC Shivani in the official order.
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The new regulations establish clear technical specifications for drainage requirements. Individual households seeking to construct access roads from the NH or its service lanes must now install drainage structures with a minimum 1200 mm diametre hume pipe at earthen drains running parallel to the highway within the ROW.
For commercial establishments, shops, and industrial units, the requirements are even more stringent.
These entities must install box culverts measuring a minimum of 1.5 metres by 1.5 metres at the earthen drain locations before constructing any access roads.
The DC highlighted the safety implications of the current situation, noting that the practice "stands as a potential hazard and may cause severe disasters in the form of road accidents on the NH."
The directive specifically targets the proliferation of temporary shops and commercial establishments that have been illegally set up within the NH's ROW, often constructed over earthen drains.
"Many temporary shops and commercial establishments have been illegally set up within the ROW of the NH by many individuals over the earthen drain along the national highway," the order stated.
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