GUWAHATI, April 2 - The State water resources department will only undertake �corrective dredging� in the Brahmaputra river for removal of silt and ensure proper flow of water for preventive erosion, as recommended by an expert committee, since any full-fledged dredging needs a more detailed study.
Replying to a call attention motion in the Legislative Assembly today, Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta said that the Chief Minister has sanctioned purchase of one dredger for that purpose and tender has been floated in this regard.
�Only corrective dredging is currently envisaged with the purpose of removal of silt and to ensure that flow of water is not disrupted with a view to preventing erosion. For overall and large scale dredging, we need a more detailed study,� he said.
The minister added that various sections have raised apprehensions regarding the issue of dredging of the river.
He said that an expert committee, formed by the State government in 2016, had made certain recommendations, especially with a view to controlling siltation. The water resources department�s proposed dredging is based on the recommendations of the committee.
On the other hand, the Inland Waterways Authority of India has a pact with the State inland water transport department for dredging of the Brahmaputra to ensure safe plying of vessels as the river is to be used as National Waterway 2.
Mahanta said that dredging as envisaged for plying of vessels and as a measure to prevent siltation and ensure free flow of water are two different issues.
