GUWAHATI : An amount of Rs 693.51 crore has been provided under the 2012-13 General Areas Annual Plan for the development of Guwahati. This was announced by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on Monday when he presented the State budget for the year 2012-13. In his budget speech the Chief Minister said, “My government is negotiating a loan of Rs 1,500 crore with Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) for introducing a Comprehensive Sewerage Project covering all households in major parts of Guwahati city under Phase-I. This scheme is likely to improve sanitation levels in the city by ensuring scientific disposal of sewerage.” He further said, “With a view to providing a solution to the problem of storm water flooding Guwahati city during the monsoon season, we have taken up the development of the drainage system in Noonmati basin for an amount of Rs 100 crore approximately from the State’s own resources. We have also submitted a proposal to the Ministry of DoNER for funding of a comprehensive drainage development in the Bahini basin within Guwahati city.” “Execution of the JICA funded Guwahati drinking water supply project is in progress. We have already initiated the process of the preparation of a Regional Master Plan for Greater Guwahati area to ensure planned development in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner up to 40-50 km beyond the present Greater Guwahati area. To comprehensively address the issue of providing an efficient public transport system, my government is planning to initiate the exercise of setting up a metro/mono rail system in Guwahati city, for which work of detailed feasibility study shall be taken up in the next financial year,” said the Chief Minister. HIGHLIGHTS * Comprehensive Sewerage Project to improve sanitation * Development of the drainage system in Noonmati basin to solve problem of water flooding during monsoon * Regional Master Plan for Greater Guwahati area to ensure planned development * Metro/mono rail system in Guwahati city