Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited erosion-hit sites in Dibrugarh district on Sunday, August 2. He toured Chabua, Balijan, Pukhurijan, Dinjan, and Rahmoria to survey the damage. The Brahmaputra is washing away valuable land. The situation is dire.
Sarma announced a collaboration with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) to engineer a permanent defense against the river. The state government plans to move beyond temporary fixes. They want a scientifically designed strategy to fortify vulnerable banks.
The Water Resources Department has already submitted a Rs 90-crore project to address the crisis. Sarma intends to review this proposal with IIT-G researchers upon his return to Guwahati. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that state teams are working with war-time promptness. Regarding the initiative, Sarma said, "Our teams are working to mitigate the problem. I will soon have a meeting with experts from IIT-Guwahati to find a lasting solution to the issue."
Current efforts include a Rs 9-crore, 3-km anti-erosion project in Pukhurijan. This temporary work uses geo-bags and is funded by an Oil India Limited Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. Local residents have long demanded permanent protection for their homes, agricultural land, and infrastructure.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by several officials during the tour, including Chabua-Lahowal MLA Binod Hazarika, Rajya Sabha MP Rameswar Teli, Naharkatia MLA Taranga Gogoi, Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan, former MLA Ponakan Baruah, and Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner Bikram Kairi. Following his inspection, Sarma visited the home of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to pay respects to the late Prasad Sonowal, a retired State Bank of India general manager and social worker.
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