Cachar DC sheds light on progress of work at Bethukandi and other weak points, expects completion by April 20

A press meet was organised on Monday at the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Silchar. It was primarily to shed light on the status of works done by Water Resources Department to prevent flooding in Cachar district.

While briefing the Press, Cachar DC Rohan Kumar Jha informed that the work is going in the 13.5 km long stretch from Tarapur to Sonaimukh dyke. The work is being done in six places of Cachar where overtopping took place last year and has been divided among 4 contractors in 4 packages.

The six places include Sonabarighat, Uttar Krishnapur, Badrighat, Berenga, Bhagadohor and Bethukandi. The work in the 10 km long stretch from Gonirgram to Katigorah dyke has been divided among 3 contractors. The progress of Gonigram to Katigorah dyke is estimated to be 45 percent while the physical progress of Tarapur to Sonaimukh dyke is 18 percent. The work has officially started from February 27, 2023.

The DC explained to reporters that tender for work was called two times in Guwahati but no one applied for it. He also shared that the work would have started in November itself if the tender was filled. Ultimately the minister had to intervene and he appointed four contractors to work in the 13.5 km long stretch from Tarapur to Sonaimukh dyke following all financial rules. Considering that the work has been going on for 15 days, the DC expressed satisfaction at the work progress.

The DC assured that 6 weak points where overtopping took place last year alongwith Bethukandi sluice gate on the river side will be repaired within April 15-20.

It maybe mentioned that Silchar experienced devastating floods twice in a row last year as water from the Barak river submerged many homes, leaving them uninhabitable for days. The floods were so severe that the city’s electricity was cut off for several days to prevent electrocution. Boats became the primary mode of transportation as roads became inaccessible. One of the main reasons for the floods was a breach in the Bethukandi embankment that occurred in May last year. As a result, the water level rose, and almost the entire city got inundated.

After the floods, the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, ordered a thorough investigation to uncover those responsible for the damage caused by the worst flood in Silchar’s history. The police arrested four individuals in connection with the damage to the embankment in Bethukandi.