Assam transforms flood defences into connectivity

24 Aug 2023 CW Team

In the heartland of Assam, where the mighty Brahmaputra River and its intricate network of tributaries carve their way through the terrain, a momentous initiative is taking shape, as embankments evolve into functional roadways.

In this flood-prone region, which has grappled for years with the destructive impacts of monsoon-season flooding, the traditional embankments—steadfast defences erected to withstand the onslaught of floods—are undergoing a remarkable transformation.

Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled an ambitious plan that envisions repurposing approximately 1,500 kilometres of these embankments, currently under construction, and converting them into practical road networks.

The announcement, conveyed through a tweet, was accompanied by an image that offered a sneak peek into the project.

"Embankments stand as bulwarks against floodwaters. In Assam, we are embarking on an innovative endeavour to transmute these barriers into roads, enhancing connectivity. We are constructing 1,500 kilometres of these dual-purpose Embankments cum Roads within the state. This one is from Dhemaji," proclaimed the chief minister's tweet.

Assam, a region well-acquainted with the devastation brought by floods, boasts around 4,600 kilometres of such embankments. Yet, the passage of time has rendered many of these embankments past their intended lifespan, which is typically around 25 years.

The annual monsoons, infamous for unleashing torrents of water, have frequently breached these embankments with disconcerting regularity, leaving behind a wake of havoc. The state government has entrusted its Public Works Department (PWD) with the intricate task of engineering these hybrid road-cum-embankment structures.

This initiative is a facet of the road-cum-embankments project, backed by the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXVIII) of NABARD for the 2022-23 period.

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