Dispur to dredge Brahmaputra to fight flood and erosion

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, August 23: In its fight against flood and erosion, the Assam Government is going to start dredging of the Brahmaputra as it was decided at a meeting with Dredging Corporation of India Limited held at the conference room of Assam Secretariat on Tuesday.

Chairing the meeting, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said, “In order to give succour to the people ravaged by the perennial flood and erosion, the State Government with the help of Dredging Corporation of India Limited will start dredging of the river  Brahmaputra. A survey team is likely to visit Assam in eight to 10 days to carry out the survey”.

Based on the findings of the survey an action plan will be prepared for dredging on an annual basis, Sonowal added. Dredging will primarily emphasize erosion control, sediment magement and flood control, and the whole process will be carried out in line with the hydrological character of the Brahmaputra.  It may be mentioned that considering the annual silt load of the Brahmaputra, the water-carrying capacity of the river has been reduced to a considerable extent causing flood in the State if there is incessant rain. Sonowal said, “Since the Brahmaputra serves the life line of the people of Assam, the river has to be harnessed to serve our people”.

The area of dredging will be from Sadiya to Dhubri and a broad road map will be put in place for dredging, the meeting decided.  State Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, Additiol Chief Secretary VS Bhaskar, Additiol Chief Secretary RT Jindal, Chairman and Maging Director, Dredging Corporation of India Limited Rajesh Tripathi and other senior officers of the Water Resources Department were present at the meeting.