Guwahati, Aug 3: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 2 announced that the state government will collaborate with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati to develop a long-term solution to the recurring riverbank erosion caused by the Brahmaputra.
The announcement came after the chief minister visited erosion-affected areas in Dibrugarh district, including Chabua, Balijan, Pukhurijan, Dinjan and Rahmoria, where he reviewed the situation and interacted with residents affected by the ongoing erosion.
Speaking during the visit, Sarma said government teams were already working to address the immediate challenges and added that he would soon hold discussions with IIT Guwahati experts to formulate a sustainable strategy to tackle the problem.
Describing erosion along the Brahmaputra as one of Assam’s most significant geographical challenges, the chief minister said the state loses vast stretches of land every year due to the river’s changing course. He said the government is focusing on strengthening vulnerable embankments and riverbanks through scientific methods and modern technology.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, IIT Guwahati specialists will be tasked with preparing a long-term scientific plan to mitigate erosion and reduce its impact on communities living along the Brahmaputra.
The proposed initiative will complement the state government’s ongoing Rs 90-crore erosion mitigation project, which aims to protect vulnerable riverbank areas and minimise the loss of land, homes and livelihoods.
During his interaction with local residents, Sarma assured them of the government’s continued support and reiterated its commitment to implementing durable protective measures to safeguard erosion-prone regions and prevent further damage.
