Guwahati, July 26, 2017: The proposed dredging of the 600-km stretch of the Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam will start from September, once the monsoon is over.

This was decided at a meeting between Union Road Transport minister Nitin Gadkari and Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal at New Delhi today.

The meeting highlighted that for dredging the entire stretch, altogether six dredgers would be pressed into service and a minimum 45-meter depth would be maintained throughout the entire stretch of the river in the State. The meeting a exuded confidence that dredging would greatly help in desilting the river bed, thereby enhancing the water carrying capacity of the Brahmaputra which would act as a deterrent against perennial flood in Assam.

Moreover, the sand thus collected from dredging would be used to construct the Brahmaputra Express Highway along both sides of the river.

Mr Sonowal mentioned that the DPR along with technical report would be submitted by the State Government to the Centre soon. The meeting also saw sanctioning of additional funds to the tune of Rs 400 crore for the purpose.

Chief Minister sought Mr Gadkari’s help in strengthening and fortifying the existing 5000-km old embankments and convert them into road-cum dyke which would not only help in developing road connectivity network in the rural areas but also addressing the flood fury in the State.

Source: News Agencies