Posted on July 28, 2016
The State government will hold a high-level workshop on July 30-31 to seek opinion of experts regarding the flood and erosion problems of Assam and on ways to bring the Brahmaputra under control, including feasibility of dredging the river.
Replying to AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam’s call attention motion at the Legislative Assembly, Minister for Water Resources Keshab Mahanta said that the two-day workshop will be held at the Water Resources Research Centre here and a number of experts will take part in the deliberations.
He said the workshop will have sessions on flood and erosion in Assam, on ways to control the Brahmaputra by use of modern technology, including IT, on protection and preservation of Majuli, as well as a separate session on the Kolong river.
“Following the workshop and after studying the suggestions of experts, we will take the next step, including the issue of using Brahmaputra as national waterway,” Mahanta said.
He said that a proper study of the problem is required before embarking on any large scale project like dredging of Brahmaputra.
He said that on June 17, officers of the Water Resources Department had met the Chief Minister to discuss the issue of flood and erosion. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officials to explore all options, including the feasibility of dredging.
The Minister said that he met World Bank representatives in New Delhi on July 17 and on July 22 a team from the international financial institution visited Guwahati. “They met the Chief Minister and high-ranking officials. Soon, the World Bank team will give their views (regarding the issue of flood),” he said.
Mahanta said an Asian Development Bank (ADB) team is scheduled to visit the State on July 26-27 where the matter will be discussed as well.
Earlier, AIUDF’s Islam cited media reports regarding the flood and erosion problem and suggested that dredging of the Brahmaputra should be explored to deal with the twin problem.
Source: The Assam Tribune
