Dredging of Brahmaputra soon to stop floods, erosion: Sonowal

Guwahati, Aug 23 (IANS) To deal with annual flooding and erosion problem in Assam, the state government has decided to start dredging of the Brahmaputra river, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.

"The state government will start dredging of Brahmaputra with the help of Dredging Corporation of India (DCI)," said Sonowal after a meeting between the officials of the state government and DCI.

A DCI team is likely to visit Assam in the next eight to 10 days to carry out a survey based on which an action plan will be drawn up for dredging the river on an annual basis, he said.

"Dredging will primarily emphasise on erosion control, sediment management and flood control and the whole process will be carried out in line with the hydrological character of Brahmaputra," Sonowal said.

He said the area of dredging will be from Sadiya to Dhubri and a broad roadmap will be put in place for the works.

The water carrying capacity of Brahmaputra has significantly declined due to silt, which means Assam has become vulnerable to floods in any season that witnesses good rains.