Unused Geo-Bags Raise Concerns Amid Assam's Erosion Crisis

In Assam, a significant stockpile of geo-bags intended for erosion control has remained unused for years, raising concerns among local residents as riverbank erosion worsens during the floods. The community criticizes the Water Resources Department for poor planning and management, questioning the effectiveness of government initiatives. With valuable materials at risk of deterioration, residents are urging immediate action from authorities to deploy these resources to vulnerable areas. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in managing erosion control efforts in the region, prompting calls for accountability and better resource utilization.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 31, 2026, 11:28 IST

Concerns Over Unused Erosion Control Materials

A large stockpile of geo-bags at the Water Resources Department’s Chulikata inspection bungalow near Simina, as seen on Thursday. – Photo: Abhijit Kalita

PALASBARI, July 31: As riverbank erosion continues to devastate various regions in Assam due to the ongoing floods, a significant number of geo-bags intended for erosion control have been left unused for several years at the Water Resources Department’s inspection bungalow in Chulikata, located near Simina Chowk in the Kamrup district.

Local residents report that these geo-bags and other materials for erosion control have been stored outdoors for nearly two to three years without any clear plan for their deployment. With weeds and other vegetation encroaching around the stockpile, there are growing concerns that these materials, valued in crores, may deteriorate before they can be utilized.

This situation has sparked considerable criticism from the community, especially as riverbank erosion remains a pressing issue along the Brahmaputra at Simina, Guimara, and Gumi. Locals are questioning the department's inaction regarding the use of these materials, despite the ongoing threat of erosion in these vulnerable areas.

Residents have expressed that the extended storage of the geo-bags indicates a lack of effective planning and management by the authorities. They pointed out that while the government has been rolling out ambitious erosion-control initiatives across the state, valuable resources are sitting idle when urgent protection is needed in several riverbank regions.

The erosion control efforts in the Palasbari-Gumi area were previously carried out under a project supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through Brahmaputra Infrastructure Limited. However, locals claim that the unused stock has been neglected despite the ongoing erosion challenges in the vicinity.

Residents are questioning whether public funds are being squandered under the guise of government initiatives and are urging Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Water Resources Department to take immediate action, ensure accountability, and deploy the geo-bags to areas at risk of erosion before they become unusable. They are also calling for strict measures against any shortcomings in planning and execution.

In response, a representative from the Water Resources Department stated that the geo-bags were acquired through the ADB-supported project, with the contract awarded to Brahmaputra Infrastructure Limited. The official noted that approximately 90% of the project work in the Palasbari area has been completed.

The official also mentioned that the geo-bags currently stored at the Chulikata Inspection Bungalow are in good condition and ready for use.

According to the department, around 2.5 lakh geo-bags are available at the site and will be utilized in the next phase of anti-erosion efforts in the Chhaygaon and Boko regions.

While the department asserts that the stored geo-bags are intended for future projects and remain in usable condition, the extended storage of such a large quantity during an active erosion season is likely to attract further public scrutiny.