Dibrugarh, Oct 9: A day after severe erosion devastated the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Dibrugarh, Assam Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika visited the impacted Kachari Ghat area on Thursday to assess the situation. The minister recognized the significant damage and ensured that both immediate and long-term erosion control measures would be enacted to prevent further destruction to the town.
After his site visit, Minister Hazarika shared his concerns with the press while affirming the government’s prompt response. He noted, “In Dibrugarh town, almost all areas are protected from erosion. This particular spot had a retaining wall and had never experienced erosion before. The damage occurred suddenly just two days ago.”
Hazarika also reported that there had been no new erosion since the incident, and that efforts to stabilize the area have already commenced. He announced that approximately Rs 375 crore will be allocated for erosion prevention and protection efforts specifically in Dibrugarh town. For ongoing repairs, nearly 32,000 C-type geo-bags will be needed, with 5,000 already available locally and the remainder being sourced from Guwahati.
“It is impossible to control the Brahmaputra one hundred percent. Sometimes the river even erodes the very work we complete,” he stated. However, he emphasized the significant progress made, citing a nearly 90% success rate in erosion control and reaffirming the commitment to protect Dibrugarh. “The Brahmaputra is so vast and powerful, almost like a sea, and there is much to learn from its force,” he added.
Accompanying Hazarika were Cabinet Minister Prashanta Phukan and other senior officials from the department. The situation has become critical, particularly at Maijan Thakurbari, on the outskirts of Dibrugarh, where extensive land loss has occurred. After multiple sections collapsed in the upper part of Maijan, erosion has rapidly advanced to lower areas, increasing pressure on the Dibrugarh embankment.
The devastation in Kachari Ghat is stark. In a mere fifteen minutes on Wednesday, the Brahmaputra engulfed nearly 100 meters of land, including a garden, a large playground, a yoga training center, and an idol immersion area. Hundreds of geo-bags deployed by the Water Resources Department to protect the embankment were swept away in the floodwaters. Locals have expressed concerns that delays in preventative measures may have exacerbated the situation, while officials insist that emergency operations are currently ongoing.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/govts-success-rate-in-tackling-erosion-is-nearly-90-pijush-hazarika-1593986
Category: Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-10-09 18:24:00
