State govt to develop long-term scientific solution to river erosion with IIT Guwahati expertise: Assam CM Sarma
Dibrugarh, August 3
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced that the State Government will formulate a comprehensive, science-based, long-term strategy to address the persistent problem of riverbank erosion in the state with the active involvement of experts from IIT Guwahati.
Chief Minister Dr Sarma made this announcement while visiting erosion-affected areas of Dibrugarh district on the first day of his four-day tour of Upper Assam.
During the visit, he inspected the erosion-hit areas of Pukhurijan to assess the ground situation and interact with affected residents.Dr. Sarma acknowledged that while the Water Resources Department has been implementing short-term erosion control measures, the scale and recurring nature of erosion caused by the Brahmaputra demands a scientific and sustainable solution.
Interacting with the local residents, the Chief Minister informed them that the department has already proposed an erosion mitigation project worth Rs. 90 crore for the affected areas.
He said the project would be further strengthened with technical expertise and scientific inputs from IIT Guwahati to ensure durable and effective protection of vulnerable riverbank areas.Reiterating the Government's commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods, Dr. Sarma assured the residents that all efforts would be made to implement long-term measures capable of addressing the challenge of river erosion in a holistic manner.
During his visit, the Chief Minister also inspected Oil India Limited's East Khagorijan-6 drilling rig, where he reviewed ongoing drilling operations and the safety protocols in place.
He directed all concerned agencies to adopt a people-centric approach by giving utmost priority to the safety and well-being of local residents while ensuring effective coordination among all stakeholders.
Earlier in the day, upon his arrival in Dibrugarh, the Chief Minister visited the residence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and paid his heartfelt tributes to the Union Minister's elder brother, Late Mista Prasad Sonowal, a distinguished social worker.
Sarma conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
As part of his four-day tour of Upper Assam, the Chief Minister will also visit flood-affected areas in Nazira, Santak, Bihubar, Sumonigaon (Mahmora), and Sonari.
During the tour, he will inspect relief camps, interact with displaced families, review ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures, and hold meetings with the district administrations to assess the overall flood response and rehabilitation efforts.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative by CM Sarma, but I have my doubts. The Brahmaputra is one of the most dynamic rivers in the world. Even with IIT's help, are we talking about river training structures, bio-engineering, or what exactly? Also, is the ₹90 crore project enough? Erosion along the Brahmaputra needs much bigger investment. Let's see the detailed plan first.
As a student at IIT Guwahati, this makes me proud! 🎓 Our civil engineering and environmental departments do great research on Brahmaputra's morphology. But the key is involving local communities and traditional knowledge too. The river isn't just a problem to solve—it's part of our culture and livelihood. A holistic approach should include sustainable development of riverine resources.
Respectful criticism: Talk is cheap, especially before elections. We've heard promises before—₹90 crore sounds impressive but where are the earlier projects? I want to see timeline commitments, clear deliverables, and a monitoring mechanism. Also, why only visit during floods? The people of Dibrugarh live with this fear year-round. Nevertheless, I appreciate the Chief Minister's personal visit to assess ground reality.
Good that they're involving IIT Guwahati, but what about dredging? The Brahmaputra carries so much silt that the riverbed rises every year. Dredging could help maintain navigation channel and reduce pressure on banks simultaneously. Also, why not involve countries like Netherlands which have world-class expertise in river engineering? Collaboration between IITG and international experts could be the way forward. 🇮🇳
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