Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika inspects dysfunctional sluice gates, dykes in Cachar

Silchar: Minister for Water Resources Pijush Hazarika reached Silchar on Wednesday on a three-day visit to Barak Valley. As per the directions of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, minister Pijush Hazarika inspected the dysfunctional sluice gates and embankments in all three districts of the valley.

On the third day of his visit on Friday, Minister Pijush Hazarika reached Gangapur area in Sonai, Cachar to inspect some erosion-affected areas along the Barak river and thereafter held detailed discussions with the engineers of the Water Resources department to chalk out a long-term solution to prevent further erosion. From there, he went to Lakhipur constituency and visited a few more eroded areas in Chandrapur Deb Basti under Badrichandrapur GP at Lakhipur. He also took stock of the erosion caused by the Chiri at Bazar Gram.

Hazarika accompanied by Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai and Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Rohan Kumar Jha then went to the inter-state border area of Jirighat and witnessed the devastating erosion caused by the Jiri river there. The minister gave necessary instructions to the chief engineer of water resource department to make a plan estimate to stop further erosion of the river.

Later on, speaking to the media, Pijush Hazarika said, "I have seen all the breaches in the dykes over here. I have also seen the Bethukandi dyke, where through the breach, the entire town was submerged. There were breaches at Bethukandi dyke, out of which, three breaches happened in the natural course of events, which were protected by the department. However, the third breach, almost 50 meter ahead, was caused by some miscreants, which resulted in flooding of Silchar town. I express deep regrets for this to the people of Silchar. But at the same time, I assure that all those who are responsible for this breach shall not be spared. They will be given exemplary punishment so that none would dare to commit similar crimes in the future."

The minister categorically said, "We have immediately filled up the breached portion of the dyke so that we can prevent any other catastrophe and movement of people can take place. This is temporary protection which we have done. The permanent work of the dyke could be done only in the winter season. But if by chance, these temporary repairing works get washed away due to fresh flood, then none should blame us because I have clarified that we have done temporary repairing as per the need of the hour."

Airing his views, MLA Lakhipur, Kaushik Rai said, " People here have witnessed two floods in May and June. The erosion of the river at Rajar Gram started some time ago, but during these two floods, the condition became worse and the road thereby was broken.

Meanwhile, the repairing work has been started there for which Rs.5 lakh was granted by the district administration. But that amount would not be enough for the work. Temporary restoration will be done at first so that movement of people becomes possible. Secondly, work of permanent restoration also should be done."

"After the BJP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma came to power, grants were released and we were able to do the protection work at Singirband. Now motor vehicles can ply through that road of Singirband," MLA Rai said, stated a press release.

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