In a significant move to combat relentless river erosion, the Assam government has announced a major engineering intervention in the flood-affected Baghjan area of Tinsukia district. State Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika declared on Thursday that large geotextile structures known as 'mega tubes' will be deployed to block two aggressive channels of the Brahmaputra river and its stream, Ananta Nallah.
On-Site Inspection and Assurance of Long-Term Protection
Minister Hazarika conducted a detailed on-site inspection of the vulnerable zone, accompanied by Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Moran Autonomous Council Arunjyoti Moran, and several officials from the water resources department. During the visit, the minister interacted with local residents and provided them with a firm assurance. He committed to leveraging advanced engineering techniques for achieving long-term protection for their homes and land from the river's fury.
The core of the problem, as identified by the minister, is the twin channels of the Brahmaputra which have been aggressively cutting into the landmass at Baghjan, leading to severe and rapid erosion. This has put local communities and infrastructure at constant risk, especially during the monsoon season.
The Mega Tube Solution: A Proven Technology
The planned strategy involves an innovative yet tested method. 'Mega tubes' are large, durable sacks made of geotextile fabric that are filled with locally available sediment and strategically placed in the river channels. These tubes act as robust plugs, effectively diverting the main flow of the river away from the eroding banks.
"Two channels of the Brahmaputra are creating erosion in the Baghjan area. We will plug these channels using mega tubes so that the river water cannot cause erosion here. I assure locals that I will take all necessary steps for a long-term protection of this area," stated Minister Hazarika.
To bolster confidence in the project, Hazarika cited a recent success story from a nearby village. He mentioned visiting Kordoiguri village four months ago, where a similar situation with two Brahmaputra channels was causing flooding and erosion. "They were plugged using mega tubes. After that, water has not entered the village. This proven technology will bring relief to Baghjan as well," he explained.
Existing Projects and Pending Sanctions
The minister also provided context about broader anti-erosion efforts in the region. He noted that an existing anti-erosion project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has already been implemented across a larger area. However, a specific and critical segment remains incomplete.
Hazarika highlighted that a crucial 1.5-kilometer stretch, vital for Baghjan's comprehensive protection, is still awaiting official sanction. The completion of this stretch is considered essential for creating a fully effective and permanent shield against the powerful river currents. The announcement of the mega tube project is seen as a targeted, immediate measure to address the most pressing threat while longer-term infrastructure is finalized.
The initiative reflects the state government's focused approach to tackling the chronic issue of riverbank erosion in Assam, which displaces thousands of people and destroys valuable land every year. The use of mega tubes represents a modern engineering response to an age-old natural challenge faced by the communities living along the mighty Brahmaputra.
