Guwahati — Assam Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika told the Assembly on Wednessday that the State has built 900 km of new embankments in the last four years, a major push compared to the 4,000 km built in the last 70 years.
Speaking during the Winter Session, Hazarika said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Assam has started embankment strengthening work on a large scale for the first time. When he took charge of the department four years ago, about 1,100 km of areas without embankments were identified. “Most of those areas now have embankments. If people extend cooperation and allow land, we can start work in the remaining places soon,” he told the House.
The Minister said Assam’s main problem has been flood and erosion, and the new embankments have helped reduce flood impact in many regions. He added that 70% of the funds allotted for embankment work have already been used and major river projects with the World Bank and ADB are ongoing on the Beki, Burhidihing and Brahmaputra rivers.
Hazarika also said the embankments are being built using geo-tubes, giving them a lifespan of nearly 100 years. The State spends around ₹2,500 crore every year on flood and erosion control, he added.
He informed the House that central funds of ₹695 crore have been approved for reservoir construction. With floods reducing, the government will now focus more on controlling riverbank erosion, he said.
