Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta assesses preparedness for flood mitigation

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: State Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta held a review meeting with Tinsukia district administration at the conference hall of the DC’s office, Tinsukia on Friday. The discussion was held to assess the preparedness for flood mitigation as all departments have been facing difficulties in completing their targets in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown.

The minister, while reviewing the status of the schemes being executed by the water resources department, directed that ongoing schemes should be completed at the earliest and in such cases where tendering process had been completed, the contractors might be directed to start the work immediately instead of waiting for work order. In vulnerable areas, if required, contractors might be allowed to hire more workers and even work in double shifts to complete the schemes at the earliest, the minister said, adding that erosion being the main problem, geo bags and other protection works should be taken up on priority basis in the vulnerable areas.

Mahanta instructed that the local issues should be taken up and solved at the ground level with the intervention of SP of Tinsukia and Sadiya police district along with Circle Officer of respective areas, if required. It was also raised in the meeting that the areas such as Sisimi and 8th Mile in Sadiya LAC were very vulnerable areas and immediate protection measures had to be undertaken. It was also pointed out that in Berakuri area, a scheme had been temporarily held up as the area fell under the eco sensitive zone. The minister instructed the administration to take up the issue with forest officials and to expedite the scheme at the earliest.

The meeting, chaired by Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Bhaskar Pegu, was attended by Bolin Chetia, MLA of Sadiya, Pradhan Baruah, MP of Lakhimpur, Shiladitya Chetia, SP of Tinsukia, besides heads of all departments concerned.

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