ITANAGAR, Jun 3: The secretary Transport & Disaster Management Dani Salu on Thursday visited the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and Inter-State Truck Terminal (ISTT) and part of Lekhi area after reports of flooding and damages of property. After assessing both, the secretary told the media that earth cutting on the other side of the highway is causing massive damage to both ISBT and ISTT.
He also informed that a project to improve the drainage system at ISBT will soon be taken up. “Rs 4 crore 75 lakh has been kept for it. UD is the executing agency and tender has already been floated. After lockdown it will be opened and hopefully work will start soon,” said secretary Salu. However, he added that unless reckless earth cutting is regulated, the ISBT and ISTT will continue to face problems.
“Nearby drains get blocked due to rampant and in some case illegal earth cutting. This results in flooding and mudslide,” he said.
The secretary further shared that ISTT is being used for Covid 19 related activities and some part is beign used by the NDRF therefore has not been made fully functional. “Once Covid 19 subsides and normal life resumes, the ISTT will become fully functional. Both ISTT and ISBT are immensely important infrastructure projects of the state,” said secretary Salu.
Later Salu also visited the flood affected area of Lekhi which has been experienced heavy flood recently on May last and report of loss of property has been made. He also interacted with the victims family and local committee members and assured the help of disaster management for compensation once the proposal is received from the administration.
Secretary further appeal all section of society not to involve in rampant earth cutting for infrastructure development without proper planning and permission from the administration and local capital police so that such manmade disaster does not takes place again and again.
Director Disaster Management Atul Tayeng, Director Transport Tage Tado, Jt Director Charu Tayum among others also accompanied the secretary during the inspection.
