Assam CM urges MoS for Water Resources for strengthening of embankments
In a meeting with the Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in New Delhi, Sonowal apprised him of the extent of devastation caused by the recent waves of floods in Assam.
Sonowal drew the attention of the Union Water Resources Minister that a major chunk of the existing embankments in Assam has already outlived their utility and needs immediate intervention in terms of their repair and face lift and use them to act as a deterrent to flood and erosion.
The Assam CM also requested the Centre's assistance to strengthen the embankments and said that a strong network of embankments holds the key to the growth of GDP in the State.
Drawing Balyan's attention, Sonowal also demanded a special grant from the Centre for flood and erosion management in the State.
The Assam CM also exhorted on the need of dredging the Brahmaputra for making the river fit for navigation throughout the year.
Union Minister Balyan also stated that the rivers in Assam need to be harnessed for better control of flood and erosion and river management.
Sonowal, however, opined that the Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation must organise a national seminar involving all stake holders and of course the people at large for zeroing in on a comprehensive mechanism for flood and erosion control and river management.
Balyan assured all help and agreed to organise a seminar in Guwahati and will also visit Assam this month to assess the situation perpetrated by flood and erosion.
In the meeting Sonowal gave Balyan an overview of the damages in terms of human lives, property, agriculture and livestock that the floods in Assam have perpetuated.
Sonowal also handed over a list of 66 schemes related to water resources and requested Centre's assistance for their expeditious implementation in the State.
Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta, Members of Parliament R.P. Sarma and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa along with a host of senior bureaucrats were present at the meeting.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.