Dibrugarh: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday visited erosion-hit areas in Dibrugarh district and said the state government would consult experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) to develop a long-term solution to the recurring problem.
Sarma inspected erosion-affected locations in Chabua, Balijan, Pukhurijan, Dinjan and Rohmoria and reviewed the situation on the ground.
In a post on Facebook, the Chief Minister said he had assessed the extent of erosion and was briefed on the factors contributing to the problem.
“At present, the concerned departments are working with war-time promptness to control the situation. However, scientific and long-term measures are essential for a permanent solution. We have already planned steps in that direction,” he said.
Sharing details on X, Sarma said he would soon hold a meeting with IIT-G experts to discuss sustainable measures to address riverbank erosion.
“Visited the erosion-hit site in Chabua, Dibrugarh, to understand the present situation and the key reasons behind it. Our teams are responding to the situation, but I will soon meet IIT-G experts to find a lasting solution,” he wrote.
The Chief Minister said erosion caused by the Brahmaputra remains one of Assam’s biggest challenges.
“This is the scale of erosion that many parts of Assam endure as the mighty Brahmaputra relentlessly washes away precious land year after year. With modern technology, we are working to fortify our riverbanks,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said the Water Resources Department had already prepared a project worth Rs 90 crore to address erosion in the area.
“The department has submitted a Rs 90-crore project. We will discuss it with IIT-G experts after returning to Guwahati and chalk out a strategy for a permanent solution,” he said.
Sarma also visited the residence of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Dibrugarh and paid tribute to Sonowal’s elder brother, Prasad Sonowal, a retired State Bank of India general manager and social worker, who recently passed away.