Political Promises Surrounding Sluice Gate Construction in Nalbari District

Political Commitments on Sluice Gate in Nalbari

NALBARI, April 24: During a recent campaign in Barbhag, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured residents that the construction of a sluice gate in Nakheti village, located in Nalbari district, would commence shortly. This promise echoes a similar commitment made four years ago when he visited the flood-affected communities in Barbhag.

Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika also visited the sluice gate site while addressing erosion issues in Kamarkuchi, promising that construction would begin soon. Additionally, Akhil Gogoi, president of Raijor Dal, visited the flood-affected areas and pledged that his party would ensure the sluice gate's construction if elected. Consequently, the sluice gate has become a focal point in the political discourse among various parties. The Barbhag drainage development scheme was initially implemented during the AGP government by then-MLA Pulakesh Baruah, with the sluice gate being part of a Central government initiative.

The future of the sluice gate, intended to mitigate flooding for over fifty villages under the Barbhag drainage development scheme, remains uncertain. The project includes a sluice gate on the Satha channel designed to prevent floodwaters from the Pagladia and Baralia rivers from flowing back. However, the Brahmaputra Board, responsible for overseeing the project, has not completed the construction in the past 15 years. Work began in 2011, but only 10 percent was completed in the first five years.

The Barbhag drainage development scheme aims to address flooding and irrigation challenges in the region, with the sluice gate projected to cost Rs 11 crore. Initially, the project was expected to be finished within 18 months, featuring four underground walls measuring 45 meters wide and 42.4 meters deep. Unfortunately, the construction company managed to erect only one wall in the first 19 months before abandoning the site.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the delays attributed to the negligence of Brahmaputra Board officials, claiming that poor design has hindered construction efforts. Without the sluice gate, the Barbhag community faces annual flooding, forcing farmers to abandon 'sali' cultivation. The backflow from the Pagladia river inundates the area, severely impacting 'sali' crops during the monsoon season.