Assam Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika on Tuesday said that nearly 1,000 kilometres of embankments have been constructed across the state over the past five years as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen flood and erosion control measures.
Highlighting the progress of the Water Resources Department, Hazarika said the embankment works were undertaken on a priority basis in vulnerable riverine areas to safeguard lives, agricultural land and infrastructure. He noted that several new embankments were built and many existing ones were strengthened using modern technologies, including geo mega tubes, to enhance durability.
The minister claimed that the accelerated pace of construction has contributed to a reduction in flood intensity in several parts of the state. He also drew a comparison with earlier decades, stating that while previous governments took much longer to build similar lengths of embankments, the current administration has achieved close to 1,000 km within a relatively short period.
Acknowledging that river erosion continues to pose a serious challenge in Assam, Hazarika said the government is now placing greater emphasis on erosion-control projects alongside embankment construction. He added that substantial funds are being allocated annually to strengthen flood management infrastructure.
Officials said the embankment expansion forms part of a broader long-term strategy to mitigate Assam’s recurring floods and erosion, which affect large populations every monsoon season.
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