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.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..