Experts and officials of the water resources department said this was because of a piecemeal “local” approach instead of a central plan. As a result, the problem is simply diverted from one area to another, they added.
This approach has led to largescale erosion in a portion of the Neemati-Hatishal anti-erosion project at Neematighat, on the northeast of Jorhat town, they said.
Officials of the water resources department said if steps were not taken soon to strengthen the eroded Neemati-Hatishal bund, Jorhat town and many areas of Golaghat would be flooded once the bund was breached.
The Neemati-Hatishal project was completed four years ago at a cost of Rs 38 crore. Started in 1996, it comprises two bullheads (pointed extensions of the spur) and three spurs, spread over a 13km stretch on the riverbank. The government had cleared a proposal to strengthen the bund last month.
Sources in the water resources department said there had been a substantial increase in water pressure in the Brahmaputra channel flowing by Neematighat because of an increase in the volume of water in the channel. This is because of the anti-erosion measures being executed on the bank opposite Neematighat, located on the southern side of Majuli, since the past four years.
They said the construction of porcupine screens had led to siltation in Sumaimari channel along Majuli, which had diverted the water flowing towards Sumaimari channel into the channel along Neematighat. The bullhead at Neematighat is facing the threat of being breached because of this increased water pressure.
The Matmora bund, which was constructed upstream in Lakhimpur district recently. has added to the problem by increasing water pressure on Neemati-Hatishal bund.
The executive engineer of Upper Assam investigation branch of water resources department, B.N. Thakuria, told this correspondent that a Rs 32.48-crore proposal to strengthen the Neemati-Hatishal bund had got clearance from the state government’s high-powered technical advisory committee last month. The department is preparing a detailed project report as directed by the committee. It is expected to submit it at the earliest.
The weight on her back and the clinging school uniform did not help matters as she fought the strong current. But she surmounted all the hurdles and reached the bank, saving Archana’s life.
The incident took place at Opeswari Ghat in Golaghat district on October 26 last year. The time was 2.30pm.
Kalpana was returning home with four others, including Archana’s mother, in a small country boat from Mohua High School, where she was a student of Class VIII. The school is located on the other side of the Dhansiri. Like Kalpana, her classmate Rekhamoni Sonowal, 12, Archana’s elder sister, also managed to save her own life braving the strong current.
While the three children landed on the river bank they discovered that Paukon Sonowal, the man who was rowing the boat, hadmanaged to save himself but Toramai Sonowal, mother of Archana and Rekhamoni, was swept away by the river.
The three girls shouted for help. Hearing their screams, Toramai’s husband Diganta came running along with other people and launched a search operation. She, however, could not be traced. Two days later her body was recovered from the river bank.
For their act of bravery, the Indian Council for Child Welfare has selected Kalpana and Rekhamoni for the National Bravery Awards for 2011. They will receive the award from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function in New Delhi on the eve of Republic Day. The awardees will also participate in the Republic Day parade.
PROCEDURE:-
Type PORT and send it to 1900.As a result you will get a 8 digited code.Go to your nearest operator of your choice get the form fill it up ....put the 8 digit no. at the respective place and you are done with it.You will get the operator of youe choice within a week.
The other two colleges included the historic Cotton College and Dimoria College.
While Cotton College secured 3.39 points, Dimoria and Devraj Roy College bagged 3.10 and 3.11 points respectively.
