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Erosion by Gelabeel river threatens educational institutes

By CORRESPONDENT

DERGAON, Aug 25 - The massive erosion by Gelabeel river poses a threat to the very existence of as many as four educational institutions of Dergaon in Golaghat district. The Gelabeel, a major river of Golaghat district, joins Dhansiri and Kakodonga, both of which originate from the Naga hills.

Gelabeel flows from the joining point of Bhogdoi and Kakodonga rivers and connects Dhansiri at Dhansirimukh of the mighty Brahmaputra. The water level of Gelabeel has been increasing in the last few years and the erosion has become severe.

As the current in the river has been increasing during the last couple of days due to heavy rainfall in the Naga hills, the erosion has also increased. The erosion by Gelabeel has created havoc in the north part of Dergaon town. The present erosion by the river covers an area of less than one kilometre. The erosion is rapidly increasing in the south embankment of the river also. The waters have washed away the embankment to such an extent that the river waters have touched the hostel of Dergaon Basic Training Centre (DBTC).

Similarly, the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Golaghat is situated in the same campus of DBTC. The Dergaon Town High School and Dergaon Abhyashan LP School are also situated in the south embankment of the river. As such, the erosion poses a threat to the existence of the four educational institutes. The Department of Water Resources had laid some spars but it has failed to control erosion in the area.

Talking to this correspondent, a senior instructor of DBTC, Joga Prasad Mahanta said that if proper anti-erosion measures are not taken at an early date, the existence of DIET Golaghat and DBTC will be in question. The fate of these two educational institutes along with two others are now looming in uncertainty, he added. The conscious citizens have urged the authority to take immediate steps to control the erosion. �The authority must look into the matter seriously,� retired Principal of Rawnapara Basic Training Centre, Majuli and a resident of Dergaon town ward no. 1 adjacent to Golaghat DIET Ramesh Baruah opined.

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