IIT Guwahati to Study Brahmaputra River Erosion and Urban Flooding

Study on Brahmaputra River Erosion

Guwahati, June 22: The chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, Dr. Ranbir Singh, announced that IIT Guwahati will undertake a comprehensive study focusing on the erosion issues caused by the Brahmaputra River, extending from Arunachal Pradesh to the border with Bangladesh.

In collaboration with the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute (NEHARI), the study aims to pinpoint areas most susceptible to erosion and propose effective mitigation strategies, Dr. Singh informed reporters following the Board's 85th meeting on Friday.

For over sixty years, bank erosion has posed a significant challenge, with more than 427,000 hectares of land lost to the Brahmaputra and its tributaries since 1950, accounting for 7.40% of the state's total area. The annual average land loss is estimated at nearly 8,000 hectares.

The Brahmaputra River is known to shift southward due to various geological and seismic instabilities in the region. Notably, in the past five decades, approximately 100 square kilometers of land has been eroded in the southern part of Goalpara district alone. The shifting is particularly pronounced in the lower Brahmaputra Valley, especially along the western edges of Goalpara, South Salmara Mankachar, and Dhubri districts.

Additionally, the Brahmaputra Board has sanctioned the construction of a new building for the institute at its current office location in the city. Dr. Singh mentioned that the existing campus, established in 1980, is in a deteriorating state, prompting the need for a new facility. The project will be executed by the CPWD at an estimated cost of ₹240 crore.

The Board also plans to investigate the urban flooding issues faced by Dimapur town.

Dr. Singh highlighted that master plans for 52 rivers have been developed, with another 21 currently in progress. Existing master plans are also undergoing updates.

Furthermore, detailed project reports (DPRs) for around a dozen multi-purpose projects, including those in Siang, Subansiri, Dibang, Lohit, and Jia Dhal, are being prepared. Some projects are already underway, while others are being revised by central public sector undertakings and state governments.

During the meeting, representatives from nine basin states contributed their insights and suggestions. The session also reviewed the Board's activities and the current status of ongoing projects.

By

Staff Reporter