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MANGALDAI: The people of Gorukhuti area in Darrang district particularly living in the char areas have offered their gratitude to the dream agriculture project of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for which the long felt dream of a bridge finally transformed into a reality. As agriculture farming has been started immediately after the eviction drive at Dhalpur No. 1, 2 and 3 on September 20 and 23, the officials and volunteers of the project found it difficult to cross the boat as the anabranch of Noa river dried up causing hindrances in crossing the river on mechanized boat or tractor.
Sootea legislator Padma Hazarika who is also the chairman of 'Project Gorukhuti' finally decided to construct a bridge made of bamboo and wood and within four days completed the construction of the bridge-the only bridge ever constructed in the vast areas of Gorukhuti. Padma Hazarika on the very day of the inauguration of the bridge made a test drive on this bridge by driving his light motor vehicle over the bridge.
On the other hand, on Monday Padma Hazarika and member of Project Gorukhuti cum legislator of Khumtai Mrinal Saikia ceremonially planted saplings of a special variety of bamboo along the boundary of the Dhalpur Shiva Mandir. Mrinal Saikia carried 1200 plants of this variety of bamboo from Lumding. Newly joined Circle Officer of Sipajhar Revenue Circle Kamaljeet Sarma and mediaperson Bhargab Kumar Das also took part in the bamboo plantation.
Talking to 'The Sentinel' at the site of 'Project Gorukhuti' this morning, legislator Padma Hazarika said that this species of bamboo would control the river erosion besides posing as a natural barrier and would also improve the soil structure. "The government has already made the encroached government land free from encroachment and handed it over to 'Project Gorukhuti' and now we have started sowing the seed of Mati Mah (Urad), Til (sesame) and will start sowing the mustard oil seed in the next phase. We are also planning to cultivate maize, watermelon, pumpkin etc with the involvement of the local unemployed youth. Simultaneously with the mustard oil we are going to start honey bee-keeping for the first time in the area and entrusted state level award recipient ideal farmer of Sipajhar area Dhruba Jyoti Saikia who also has expertise in bee-keeping," he said.
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