Union Minister Visits Erosion-Hit Areas in Dibrugarh

Inspection of Erosion-Affected Regions

Dibrugarh, June 15: On Saturday, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, along with State Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, visited the areas of North Balijan and Bogoritolia that have been severely impacted by erosion.

The Brahmaputra River has eroded the embankment and washed away approximately two kilometers of geotextile bags that were previously installed for erosion control. In the last two weeks, around 35 bighas of land from the Balijan tea estate have also been lost to the river due to significant erosion.

Following their inspection, both Sonowal and Hazarika reassured the local residents that the State government is committed to taking all necessary measures to mitigate erosion and safeguard the land and properties of the community.

"This monsoon season, we can only implement temporary anti-erosion strategies. However, as soon as conditions allow, we will pursue a permanent solution," Hazarika remarked.

In a show of solidarity, residents of the Balijan area held a special community puja along the riverbanks, praying to the river goddesses for protection of their land and belongings. They also made offerings to the deities. Sukram Bakti, one of the puja organizers, expressed that the community is experiencing distress due to the looming threat of displacement.

"Given the seriousness of the situation, we felt it necessary to seek divine intervention. Thus, we organized a community puja and made sacrifices, asking the river deities to alter the river's course that is causing erosion and flooding. We believe that if the river's flow is redirected to its center, our fears of losing land, property, and livelihoods will be alleviated," Bakti stated.