BARPETA, Jan 19 � The Central Government is keen on solving the flood and erosion problem of the State and it will soon approve various schemes submitted for the purpose. This was informed by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs.
The Union minister visited some erosion-hit areas at Bahari in Barpeta district on Monday to gauge the ongoing situation there. Sonowal expressed concern over the unabated erosion by the Brahmaputra river in some parts of Barpeta district and threat to life and property of the people.
Talking to media persons at Bahari, Sonowal said that he wants the flood and erosion in the State to be declared as a national problem. The Union minister said that he will pursue the matter with the Central Government.
Sonowal also informed that Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharati is also concerned about the prevailing situation in the State and she has already discussed the matter for five times with the members of Parliament from the Northeast. He said Uma Bharati will visit the State in February with a three-day-long programme.
Sonowal assured that steps will be taken to expedite the ongoing measures to check erosion in the area and insisted upon coordinated process of the Central and State governments in this regard.
He also visited the Bahari Satra established by Mahapurush Sri Sri Harideva and assured that he will try his best to protect the holy place from the onslaught of the Brahmaputra. He disclosed that he will assist in speedy sanction of a scheme submitted to protect the satra. The satra management committee felicitated the Union minister on his arrival.
It may be mentioned that more than 70 villages in the Bahari area have faced the ire of the Brahmaputra river during the past six decades and the river has now threatened the very existence of the historical Bahari Satra as well as the Siva temple at Dakreswar.
