Sarbananda Sonowal lays foundation stone of Multipurpose Flood Shelter in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of the three-storey Multipurpose Flood Shelter at Bhagora-Dhunaguri under Bhipuria Revenue Circle in Lakhimpur district on Friday.

This flood shelter, which is the first and foremost of its kind ever in the State, is proposed to be constructed under a dream project of the Chief Minister so that the affected people can take shelter in the multipurpose building during the time of adversity. This project has been undertaken by the State Government in view of massive floods which occur in different districts of Assam every year. During floods, the worst affected people have to face hard days and they have to live on embankments, unhealthy places and schools for a long time during the monsoon.

The government departments concerned and other charity organizations and individuals face difficulties in reaching to the marooned people to render help with ration, medical and other allied facilities. The project is initiated in view of catering to all the necessary provisions required to help the flood-affected people towards their accommodation, food and medical facilities.

The lower ground floor of the three-storey multipurpose flood relief shelter will be open for cattle and animal. Provisions of Assam-type toilet block, generator shed, air drop faculty at terrace, deep tube, external electrification with transformer, solar power arrangements, chain link fencing with gate, supplying and installation of generator set, lighting arrestor, flood light, approach road and yard will be kept in the building of the shelter. This project will be implemented by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). For this purpose, the ASDMA has already sanctioned a fund of Rs. 2,51,00,000 and the district administration has allotted a piece of land measured 3 bighas and 1 kotha.

Laying the foundation stone of the project, the Chief Minister criticized the Congress party and its government for their failure to tag the flood and erosion as national problem. "In 2005, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his government promised to recognize flood and erosion as national problem. But the Congress government did not keep its promise and the party and its government had taken no effective initiative to tackle the problem during the long period since the day of Independence," the Chief Minister stated.

In his speech, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister NarendraModi had paid special attention to mitigate the burning flood and erosion problem of the north-eastern region.

"After coming to power in 2015, Prime Minister NarendraModi held meeting with the Chief Ministers of five north-eastern States along with officers of the departments concerned and public representatives in order to find out solutions to the flood and erosion and landslide problem of the north-eastern region. Then the Prime Minister constituted North East Water Management Authority (NEWMA) with the vice-chairman of NITI Commission as chairperson nominating a member from the each State. Following the development, the 15th Finance Commission of India tagged the erosion problem of the State as natural disaster, which could not be done since 1951. The NEWMA has studied the flood and erosion problem scientifically and prepared detailed project report. After the constitution of the body, fund can be sanctioned in order to control the erosion problem of the State," the Chief Minister added.

He declared that a scheme to be taken for the control of the Brahmaputra erosion at Dholpur-Jamuguri under the district with the investment of fund amounting to Rs 10.50 crore was under process. He added that the construction work of the bridge connecting Dhunaguri and Majuli would start soon. In connection, the Chief Minister reiterated that the BJP and BJP-led State Government's commitment towards securing the jati, mati and bheti and declared that the State Government would accord land pattas to one lakh more indigenous people of the State by December.

In the programme, Bihpuriya MLA DebanandaHazarika delivered the welcome address while ADC Bipul Kumar Das highlighted the details about the model of multipurpose flood shelter. Attending the programme, State Revenue and Disaster Management Affair Minister JogenMohon and P&RD minister Naba Kumar Doley also delivered speech highlighting the developmental activities of the State Government through the departments concerned.

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