NEW DELHI, July 22 � The move to ensure protection of Rohmoria area has got a boost, after Government of Assam�s plea for availing Central assistance under State sector scheme �Flood Management Programme� being given in principle clearance as a special case.
The Ministry of Finance has conveyed that the proposal for inclusion under Flood Management Programme would be considered as and when the plan outlay is enhanced. Accordingly, the Ministry of Water Resources has conveyed to Government of Assam to start the scheme, said Union Minister for Water Resources, Paban Kumar Bansal.
The State Government had submitted a proposal for protection of Rohmoria area from erosion at an estimated cost of Rs 344 crore last June. The Central Water Commission (CWC) had sent preliminary observations to Government of Assam on the scheme with a request to frame a proposal for undertaking emergent works in the form of channelisation of the river aided by porcupine intervention to tackle erosion immediately after 2009 floods, the Minister said.
The proposal was given clearance in January and Planning Commission and Government of India accorded investment clearance to the scheme for �Rs 59.92 crore, the Minister said.
On the protection of Majuli Island, Bansal claimed that Phase II and III would be taken up together and have been accorded technical clearance. The projects would be undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 115.03 crore and 15 per cent works have been completed. Targeted date of completion of the works is March 2012, said the Minister.
�The works executed by Brahmaputra Board have resulted in the reduction of erosion at Majuli Island,� Bansal claimed.
