Greater Dibrugarh Erosion Prevention Committee Meets Water Resources Minister Sushanta Borgohain in Dibrugarh
Preparations underway for Chief Minister’s special monitoring scheme- Minister Borgohain
M. Hashim Ali,Rongili Barta: A scheme is being prepared to protect historic Dibrugarh from the erosion of the Brahmaputra, and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a special initiative in this regard. State Water Resources Minister Sushanta Borgohain made this statement before members of the Greater Dibrugarh Erosion Prevention Committee. Yesterday, the committee submitted a memorandum to the Water Resources Minister at the Dibrugarh Circuit House, demanding a scientific and permanent solution to Brahmaputra riverbank erosion. Minister Sushanta Borgohain held a detailed discussion with a delegation led by the committee’s president and editor of Asom Aditya newspaper, Manjit Bora, and general secretary Uday Shankar Mahanta.The delegation expressed concern over the recent erosion and urged the government to strengthen the existing boulder spurs instead of relying on geo-bags. They also appealed for a proper study of the movement and nature of the erosion so that necessary measures could be taken accordingly.Minister Borgohain told the delegation that Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has already taken the erosion problem in Dibrugarh very seriously. Following his instructions, the Water Resources Department has been conducting a comprehensive study of the situation and preparing a scheme for a permanent solution. The proposed scheme gives priority to the use of boulders. The government is considering procuring these boulders from Jagiroad or Meghalaya.Stating that the government would never allow historic Dibrugarh or its economic infrastructure worth thousands of crores of rupees to be destroyed, Borgohain said that engineers of the Water Resources Department have been diligently carrying out their responsibilities to the best of their ability. He added that the engineers are working day and night to control erosion in Dibrugarh.The minister, however, acknowledged that it is the government’s responsibility to construct an effective erosion- prevention project and ensure the safety of the people of Dibrugarh. He assured the Greater Dibrugarh Erosion Prevention Committee that the government would fulfil this responsibility.