SIVASAGAR, Feb 5 � Desangmukh, 8 km from Sivasagar town, has been an important place since the days of the British rule when it served as a vital port under the River Stream Navigation (RSN) through which tea leaves and other raw materials were exported to other countries. But constant erosion by the Brahmaputra river has gobbled up nearly 10,000 bighas of cultivable land and washed away hundreds of houses situated along the river bank.
According to sources, 300 families of Afala, 200 families of Garbhaga and 80 families of Charaipara have lost their houses to the monsoon fury. Locals alleged that no significant anti-erosion measures have been taken up till date to check the perennial problem which has become a curse for the people of these areas.
Though a sum of Rs 10.77 crore had been invested two years ago for an anti-erosion project along the
Brahmaputra river at Afala, it has failed to curb the menace due to the nexus between contractors and engineers, alleged villagers of Afala.
