For the first time, corrective dredging of rivers in Assam to take place

Installation of USA-made river dredger is being done on the banks of Jia Bharali

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: For the first time, there will be corrective dredging of rivers in the State. A river dredger has arrived from the USA and the process of installation is going on. It is expected that the dredger will be fully operational by the end of December or in January 2022.

Mentionably, following global tendering in 2020, the Water Resources department issued the work order to the USA-based company, 'Ellicott Dredges', to supply the 'river dredger'.

The Revenue & Disaster Management Department had approved Rs 18 crore for its procurement under the SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) during fiscal 2017-18.

Sources of the department said that the dredger reached Mumbai port via the sea route from America. From there, the dredger was brought to Assam through the roads.

The river dredger is presently stationed on the banks of the Jia Bharali river in Sonitpur District.

Engineers from 'Ellicott Dredges', are carrying out the installation work on the river bank. After completion of the installation work, expert engineers from the company will start the dredger engine. Finally, the dredger will be shifted to the river through a canal.

The dredger runs with diesel. For the initial six months, the experts from 'Ellicott Dredges' will run the dredger in that river. During this period, the experts will train up the personnel of the Water Resources department.

If the corrective dredging of this river turns out to be successful then the state government will make further plans.

Earlier, some experts from Assam submitted a report to the Government of Assam suggesting that river dredging should be done to correct the rising river beds of the state. On the basis of this report, the state government took a policy decision to dredge the tributaries of the Brahmaputra as a pilot project.

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