Centre yet to release Rs 1,250 crore erosion protection fund for Assam: Basanta Das
From a Correspondent
Jorhat, April 27: State Water Resource minister Basanta Das visited the erosion-affected areas in Jorhat district on Wednesday and took stock of the situation there. He also assured the affected people to take all required steps soon.
The minister, along with top Water Resource department officials and district administration officials, visited Dainee gaon at Neamati area in the district. He also said that due to the lack of fund from the Centre, the erosion protection measures in the State had not been taken up as per requirement.
“The Centre is yet to release Rs 1,250 crore erosion protection fund for Assam for which the State Government has not been able to take up adequate erosion protection measures. The Centre released only Rs 19 crore in 2015 and Rs 21 crore in 2016 to take up erosion protection measures but it is to small an amount to fulfil the requirements,” he said. He added, “We have been taking up all possible steps for the protection of affected areas from erosion by Brahmaputra and other rivers in the State. We have also released funds to take up erosion protection measures this year too and accordingly works are on.”
The massive erosion of Brahmaputra River on its southern bank in Jorhat district has taken a serious turn in the past few days. The mighty river has gobbled up a vast portion of land in the said areas posing a threat to the existence of Jorhat town.
Although Brahmaputra is bounded by eleven embankments like Brahmaputra dyke from Jhanjimukh to Neemati, Brahmaputra Dyke from Rongdoi to Neamati, Brahmaputra Dyke from Neamati P.W.D Road to Gohaingaon (Bor-Ali), Link approach to Kakilamukh Spur No.-I, Brahmaputra Dyke from Gohaingaon to hatia, Brahmaputra Dyke from hatia to Khutiaputa Tie Bund, Brahmaputra Dyke from Khutiaputa Check Bund to N.R Dyke, Brahmaputra Dyke from Khutiaputa Check Bund to N.R Dyke, Dyke from Bohikhowa Check bund to N.R dyke including Bohikhowa check bund and Dyke from Gohaingaon to Charigaon with total 52.95 km in length, but all these embankments are under serious threat from the Brahmaputra due to massive erosion since decades.
