I express deep regret to the people of Silchar for the devastating flood caused due to breach at Bethukandi dyke: Pijush Hazarika

July 22: Minister of Water Resources, Pijush Hazarika came to Silchar on Wednesday on a 3-day visit of Barak Valley. As per the directions of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister Pijush  Hazarika inspected the dysfunctional sluice gates and dykes in all the three districts of Barak Valley. 

On the 3rd day of his visit on Friday, Minister Pijush Hazarika reached Gangapur area in Sonai, Cachar to inspect the erosions caused by Barak river & thereafter held detailed discussions with the engineers of Water Resource Department to chalk out plans for the permanent measures to prevent further erosions. From there, he went to Lakhipur constituency and visited the erosion caused at Chandrapur Deb Basti under Bardipur GP at Lakhipur. He also took stock of the erosion caused by River Chiri at Bazar Gram.

Hazarika accompanied by Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai and Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Rohan Kumar Jha then went to the inter-state border area of Jirighat and witnessed the devastating erosion caused by Jiri River there. The Minister gave necessary instructions to the Chief Engineer of Water Resource Department to to make a plan estimate to stop further erosion of the river.

In my 3rd day today in Barak Valley, I reached Gangapur area in Lakhipur,Cachar to inspect the erosions caused by Barak river & thereafter held detailed discussions with the engineers of WR Dept. to chalk out plans for the permanent measures to prevent further erosions. pic.twitter.com/0se3ELP4ON

— Pijush Hazarika (@Pijush_hazarika) July 22, 2022

Later on, speaking with the media, Minister of Water Resources, Pijush Hazarika said, “I have seen all the breaches in the dykes over here. I have also seen the Bethukandi dyke, where through the breach, the entire town was submerged. There happened infact 3 breaches at Bethukandi dyke, out of which, 2 breaches happened in the natural course of events, which were but protected by the Department. However, the 3rd breach almost 50 mtrs ahead was caused by some miscreants, which resulted in flooding of Silchar town. I express deep regrets for this to the people of Silchar. But at the same time, I assure that all those who are responsible for this breach shall not be spared. They will be given exemplary punishment so that none would dare to commit similar crime in the future.”

The minister categorically stated, “Look, we have immediately filled up the breached portion of the dyke so that we can prevent any other catastrophe and movement of people can take place. This is a temporary protection which we have done. The permanent work of dyke could be done only in the winter in December. But if by chance, these temporary repairing works gets washed away due to fresh flood, then none should blame us because I have clarified that we have done temporary repairing as per the need of the hour.”

Airing his views, MLA Lakhipur, Kaushik Rai said, ” People here have witnessed two floods in May and June. The erosion of the river at Rajar Gram started sometimes ago, but during these two floods, the condition became worst and the road thereby was broken. Meanwhile, a repairing work  started there for which Rs.5 lakh was granted by the district administration. But that amount would not be enough for the work. There need to be done the work of temporary restoration at first so that movement of people becomes possible. Secondly, work of permanent restoration also should be done for which we have requested our Minister today. He has himself seen the condition and hope that the minister will definitely come up with plans for permanent repairing. Two major rivers, Jiri and Chiri flows through Lakhipur and both of these rivers were flooded causing devastating flood this year.”

“After the BJP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma came to power, grants were released and we were able to do the protection work at Singirband. Now motor vehicles can ply through that road of Singirband,” added MLA Rai.

Meanwhile, as per the programme, Minister Pijush Hazarika will leave Silchar today and proceed directly for Delhi.