The Sivasagar district administration has ramped up efforts to complete the cleaning and rejuvenation of the Jamuna water body before the June monsoon deadline, following a high-level review meeting chaired by District Commissioner Mridul Yadav on Thursday.
Project Overview and Progress
The restoration project, funded under the State Disaster Management Fund with a budget of Rs 9.27 crore, covers a 2.9km stretch of the Jamuna canal. So far, cleaning of water hyacinths and aquatic weeds has been completed across 2km. The remaining 0.9km must be cleared before the onset of heavy rains, which typically accelerate the growth of invasive aquatic vegetation and complicate such operations.
Key Directives and Targets
The contractor responsible for the project has been directed to accelerate the pace of work and ensure completion of the entire 2.9km stretch within the June deadline. A target of excavating 33,000 cubic metres of silt has been set. Multiple departments, including water resources, public health engineering, public works, electricity, and the municipal board, have been instructed to collaborate for timely completion.
Encroachment and Waste Disposal Issues
The meeting also addressed the problem of encroachment along the Jamuna’s banks. Officials were directed to identify encroachers for necessary eviction. Notices have been issued to 14 families found to be regularly discarding waste into the water body, a practice that undermines restoration efforts.
About the Author
Rajib Dutta is based in Dibrugarh, Assam. He reports on regional issues including law and order, environmental challenges like erosion and pollution, and local governance matters. His coverage highlights important events affecting the Dibrugarh district and its people.
