Planning Commision gives nod for Rs 115.99 cr project in Assam

The Planning Commission on Wednesday cleared the second and the third phase of the project, aimed at protecting the famed river island Majuli from flood and erosion. The project, which is called ‘protection of Majuli island from flood and erosion’, is estimated to cost Rs 115.99 crore.

The project aims at protecting 22 ‘Satras’ (Vaishnavaite monasteries), as well as public and private properties from flood and erosion. The project would also reconstruct roads and bridges that were destroyed during earlier floods. The Vaishnavite tradition and culture – being heritage of Assamese people would also be preserved. The tribal population which is about 70 per cent of total population would be the main beneficiary in terms of economic social development.

The project is expected to be completed by the financial year 2011-12 and plan accounts would be closed by 31st March 2012. An official press release stated that the Union ministry of water resources and the Brahmaputra Board “would restrict the expenditure to the approved cost and no additional expenditure beyond approved cost may be permitted unless the revised estimate is got approved following the prescribed procedure.”

The world famous Majuli island, which was once upon a time spread across 1200 sq. kms., has now been reduced to almost 600 sq. kms. Unabated erosion has become a mammoth challenge to river island, which once enjoyed the unique tag of being the’ largest fresh water river island in the world’.

In 2007, during his visit to the river island after large chunks of land mass were washed away by flood waters, chief minister Tarun Gogoi had announced a Rs 100 crore package for the development of Majuli. In 2008, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too announced a Rs 20 crore package for protecting Majuli from the wrath of river Brahmaputra during his visit to the state. However, flood and erosion still continue to pose a serious threat to Majuli.