Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha Flags Panchgram Siking Zone in Assembly; Minister Proposes Rs. 14 Crore Permanent Solution

During the Zero Hour of the Winter Session of the 15th Assam Legislative Assembly on November 26, 2025, North Karimganj (now Sribhumi) MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha drew attention to the alarming erosion of NH6 at Panchgram under Katigorah constituency. Calling the situation “deplorable and dangerous”, he said that any damage to the only national highway connecting Barak Valley could isolate over 45 lakh people and cut off road links to Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

Highlighting progress in ongoing protection work, Purkayastha said, “This department (Water Resources Department) was a 60-40 department before 2016. But this changed after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma came to power and Pijush Hazarika took charge. In 2021, when I visited the erosion site, the condition was deplorable. Now in 2025, I see progress with geobags and geo tubes being used.”

He stressed that the 1 km stretch near the Panchgram petrol pump is extremely vulnerable and expressed fear that a collapse could submerge the highway under the Barak River.

“If something happens to this stretch, neighbouring states and 45 lakh people of Barak will have no route left for commute. A permanent solution is required — temporary measures won’t solve this big issue,” he said, urging the Water Resources Minister to prioritise the project.

Responding to the concern, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika acknowledged the gravity of the situation and confirmed that the department has already initiated action.

“The erosion is happening on a national highway, and the route is very important for the Barak Valley. The Chief Engineer and other officials have visited the spot and surveyed it, and prepared a project for the permanent solution,” Hazarika informed the House.

He further stated that a Rs. 14 crore permanent protection project has been proposed, out of which a Rs. 4 crore tender has already been floated for anti-erosion work to safeguard the downstream side of the Panchgram siking zone stretch near the petrol pump.

“We have taken anti-erosion measures, and I will try to visit Barak Valley by December 15 to start the work”, Hazarika assured the Assembly.

With the water level receding in the winter, erosion is intensifying, and the stakes are rising for the region’s major highway link. Locals of the Panchgram area fear severe damage if the swift execution of the proposed permanent solution is not implemented.