Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Friday laid the foundation stone of a project for protection of the Majuli Island and said that the Government has already cleared the project worth Rs 233. 54 crore.
In a major boost to the inland waterway transport system in the North-East, Nitin Gadkari flagged off cargo movement on the Pandu-Dhubri route along the Brahmaputra.
To be executed by Brahmaputra Board, the project is expected to be completed within two working season, the Minister said adding that the project has four components that will ensure construction of geo-bag bank revetment works for a total length of 27 km. in the vulnerable reaches of Majuli, construction of RCC porcupine screens at 41 locations, construction of a Pilot channel and construction of a sluice at Birinabari.
It may be mentioned here that the Majuli River Island, located in the middle of River Brahmaputra, has already lost substantial landmass of the Island due to erosion and floods in last several years.
The BJP led Government that came to power in Assam last year upgraded the Island—which used to be a subdivision of Jorhat district—to a district.
“I hope that on successful implementation of various scheme under protection of Majuli island from flood and erosion there will be no more shrinkage of Majuli island and rather, it will be possible to reclaim the lost land which can be added to the main land area of Majuli with proper land management system,” said the Minister while addressing a public rally on the occasion.
He further hoped that the work would take off as planed and completed in two working seasons.
“The present Scheme to be executed by Brahmaputra Board was recommended by a team of Experts, the Technical Advisory Committee of Brahmaputra Board constituted by Union Water Resources Ministry. Based on these suggestions, Brahmaputra Board prepared a DPR for an amount of Rs 233.54 crore. My Ministry cleared the project and it is my pleasure to mention here that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDONER) has agreed to allocate an amount of Rs 207 crore and the balance amount is to be funded by Brahmaputra Board,” he said.
He appreciated the works undertaken by Brahmaputra Board in the Island so far and said that the outcome of the works till 2007 were satisfactory and erosion could be contained in the most vulnerable reaches.