Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inspected sites to strengthen embankments and develop new land along the Brahmaputra river.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Morigaon and Kamrup districts on Tuesday to inspect land reclamation projects and measures to reinforce river embankments. According to ThePrint, the Chief Minister noted that the state loses approximately 8,000 hectares of land annually to riverbank erosion, even though siltation creates new land in other areas.
Sarma stated on X that the state's strategy involves two parts: protecting vulnerable areas by strengthening embankments and using newly formed land for tourism and agriculture. In Morigaon, the Chief Minister reviewed projects at Chanaka, where three plans aim to reclaim between 4,000 and 5,000 bighas of land. This includes an ongoing 1,000-bigha project and a proposed 1,500-bigha project.
The Water Resources Department intends to restore erosion-affected areas from Kashshila to Narsingha Hill and from Narsingha Hill to Ganesh Hill. An official said the project is expected to provide permanent protection to human settlements and agricultural lands while creating irrigation opportunities.
In Kamrup, Sarma visited the proposed Kayatol project site to look into the scientific reclamation of more than 2,000 bighas of land. The Chief Minister said the initiative aims to use the reclaimed land for habitation, industry, and agriculture.
Sarma mentioned that District Commissioners have identified various locations for such work, but the government will only proceed after conducting comprehensive scientific studies. He also noted that these initiatives will require substantial funding.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika and Water Resources Minister Sushanta Borgohain during the inspections.
