Silchar MLA, MP and Cachar DC inaugurate newly constructed Bethukandi sluice gate

In a much awaited development, the sluice gate of Bethukandi dyke was inaugurated today by Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty alongwith Silchar MP Rajdeep Roy, Cachar DC Rohan Kumar Jha and SDO, Water Resources Department.

Dipayan Chakaraborty thanked CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Water Resources Department Minister Pijush Hazarika for the completion of Bethukandi dyke. Blaming the Congress for their inability to solve the problem of Mahishabeel, Chakraborty said, “Our government solved the long pending problem within a year. It was first a project of Irrigation Department and was later transferred to Water Resource Department. The water logged in Mahishabeel used to pass through Silchar town and discharge at Banglaghat.”

He added, “It caused two problems – the people of Mahishabeel used to remain under water during the winter season since many years. The drains in Silchar town were encroached during Congress period due to which the water from Mahishabeel couldn’t pass through properly. Now the water of Mahishabeel can discharge when the water level of Barak river is low.”

It is worth mentioning here that Bethukandi is one of the most important embankments controlling river Barak. A breach in that embankment was reported last year in the month of May and as the water level rose in the month of June, almost the whole of Silchar got inundated.

As instructed by the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr, Himanta Biswa Sarma, a thorough investigation was performed to unearth the culprits of the damage that arguably, caused the worst flood in the history of Silchar. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the damage to the embankment in Bethukandi. The Cachar Police had initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Irrigation Department.

What is also worth noting here is that it was a long standing demand of the people of Mahisabeel to construct a sluice gate through which the water can recede once the river water level had fallen.