Guwahati, May 18: The High-Powered Review Board (HPRB) of the Brahmaputra Board is set to hold its 14th meeting in Guwahati on May 19 to review the progress of river basin management initiatives and discuss the Board’s future direction.
The meeting will be chaired by C. R. Paatil. Sarbananda Sonowal and Raj Bhushan Choudhary are also expected to attend along with senior officials from the Centre and northeastern states, technical experts and other stakeholders.
The review assumes significance following the recent reconstitution of the HPRB, which has expanded its membership to include Sikkim and West Bengal. Officials said the meeting comes at a time when the Brahmaputra Board is moving towards becoming a knowledge-based River Basin Organisation.
The Board has been implementing projects across the Northeast and West Bengal in areas including river basin masterplan preparation, flood and erosion management, springshed rejuvenation, drainage development, digital transformation and institutional reforms.
During the meeting, members are expected to review the implementation status of decisions taken at the previous HPRB meeting and assess the Board’s overall functioning.
Discussions are also likely to focus on organisational restructuring, reforms in masterplan preparation, revitalisation of the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute, redevelopment of the Board’s office complex at Basistha and strengthening digital governance measures.
Books and documentaries highlighting traditional water management practices in Northeast India are also scheduled to be released during the event.
