GUWAHATI, July 31 - Assam�s long-standing demand for inclusion of erosion in the list of natural calamity for funding under SDRF is likely to be fulfilled by the 15th Finance Commission.
State Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta today informed the Assembly that the State government has been pursuing the matter with the 15th Finance Commission and it is likely to fulfill the demand.
Replying to a cut motion moved by the Opposition on Supplementary Demands of his department, Mahanta said �an express highway on both sides of the Brahmaputra may not be feasible due to the river�s nature which is at places 22 km wide. In some patches, roads may not be possible. But there is a scope to build roads on embankments at places.� He added that the matter is also being pursued with the State PWD minister. He also suggested that some of these stretches may be handed over to the PWD and work can start under the joint supervision of both the departments.
