BISWANATH CHARIALI, Sept 13 - The large-scale erosion caused by the Borgang and the Buroi rivers in Sonitpur district has taken a serious turn these days, resulting in loss of properties of nearby people amounting to lakhs of rupees. The overflowing water and erosion of the Borgang river have affected areas like Nalbari and Borbheel severely. The households and agricultural lands of several families have already gone into the bosom of the river.
These people are at a loss nowadays losing their earning sources. Though a good number of organisations, supported by the affected people have been demanding safety to their life and property, the concerned departments of the government have allegedly failed to take action in a positive direction. The local people feel that the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited is responsible for this menace. According to information, the Corporation had installed four big towers in the heart of the riverbed to transmit electricity to its Baghmari Project without procuring No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Water Resources Department, Government of Assam. Later, the water of the Borgang river had to change its course towards the nearby villages facing a hurdle because of the big towers. The people had protested the matter at the time of installation of the tower, but their protest fell on deaf ears. As a result, the affected people have been forced to think of leaving their properties and going to a safer place.
On the other hand, the alleged rampant digging of sand and stone near the source of the Buroi river has led to large-scale erosion at the downstream of the river. The villages like Karibil Bangali, Nagabil and Karibil Bazzar are the worst affected. Around 30 families have been taking shelter these days in Bheluadanga LP School losing everything in erosion. The local people and NGO �DCDP� alleged that the sand-gravel mahals at Dulungmukh under the Department of Forest was the main reason behind this erosion. Though the mahals were closed later, no preventive measure was taken. The people have now constructed bamboo porcupines to get rid of the erosion. The affected people have urged the government to pay heed to their woes.
