Centre orders probe into Rs 200 cr Assam erosion protection project

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, September 15

The BJP government at the Centre has ordered an inquiry into the utilisation of Rs 200 crore central funds provided to Brahmaputra Board since 2004 for the protection of Majuli river island in Assam from erosion.

Making the announcement, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Sanjeev Balyan, who inspected the project, expressed concern over the “slow” pace of work.

Balyan also announced fresh central assistance of Rs 260 crore for protecting the island. He said Rs 126 crore would be released soon for beginning preliminary works.

Majuli, the biggest river island in the world, is considered the religious and cultural capital of Assam and is in line for UNESCO world heritage site tag.

Balyan advocated construction of dams on upper reaches of the Brahmaputra, mostly in Arunachal Pradesh, for a long-term and permanent solution of the recurring flood and erosion problems in down-stream Assam. “When we speak for dams, it should not be viewed as the Centre favouring one state over the other. The Centre is concerned equally for the welfare of all states,” he said.