Dibrugarh: Heavy siltation in the Brahmaputra river near the iconic Bogibeel Bridge has triggered serious erosion in adjoining areas of Dibrugarh, raising alarm among local communities.In view of the situation, state power minister and Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan on Saturday inspected the silted stretches near the Bogibeel Bridge, accompanied by high-ranking officials of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), who arrived from New Delhi. The delegation carried out a detailed on-site assessment of the affected areas and held discussions on the immediate steps required to address the growing threat posed by siltation and erosion.Residents living near the riverbanks in Dibrugarh have been growing increasingly anxious about the erosion, which experts attribute to the heavy accumulation of silt that has altered the river’s course and intensified its force along the banks. The siltation near the Bogibeel Bridge — the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India — has been described as particularly severe, with the buildup significantly affecting the natural flow of the river.Following the inspection, Phukan assured residents of initiating concrete action without delay to address the issue.“The siltation near Bogibeel Bridge is a serious issue that requires intervention. I have personally visited the site along with senior IWAI officials so that we can assess the ground reality and act swiftly. The people need not worry, we will take all necessary measures to mitigate the problem” Phukan said.The IWAI officials, after conducting their assessment, assured that dredging operations would be undertaken as a priority measure to remove the accumulated silt, restore the natural flow of the river and reduce the risk of flooding and further erosion in the downstream areas. Dredging, which involves the mechanical removal of sediment from riverbeds, is widely regarded as one of the most effective tools to manage siltation in major river systems like the Brahmaputra.“We have taken serious note of the siltation and erosion near the Bogibeel Bridge. The IWAI is fully committed to taking all requisite steps, including dredging, at the earliest to mitigate the situation and safeguard the people and infrastructure in the area,” an IWAI official said.The Brahmaputra, known for its dynamic and unpredictable nature, has long been prone to heavy siltation, particularly during and after the monsoon season. The river’s vast sediment load, originating from the fragile geology of the eastern Himalayas, frequently leads to shifting sandbanks, altered river channels and accelerated bank erosion, posing a perennial challenge for communities living along its banks.
