Question : EROSION DUE TO DIVERSION FROM BRAHMAPUTRA CHANNELS

(a) whether the Government had sent a expert team for evaluating the combined effect of erosion from Dhola Hatighuli to Rohmaria area upon diversion of channel of Brahmaputra;

(b) if so, the details and outcome thereof indicating the main recommendations and plan finalised for Eleventh Plan;

(c) the protection measures undertaken at these places alongwith the progress made therein;

(d) the impact of the said works;

(e) whether some more diversions have been reported from Assam;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and

(g) the current status of the work at Dhola Hatighuli Brahmaputra dyke alongwith the reasons for delay in handing over the same to the Government of Assam?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The expert team comprising the Chairman, Brahmaputra Board, the Chief Engineer (FM) CWC, Chief Research Officer, CWPRS and Additional Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department Government of Assam visited the site on 31.08.2006. The recommendation of the expert team is placed at Annexure. Brahmaputra Board has not received any programme of works from Government of Assam in the Eleventh Plan.

(c) The Brahmaputra Board took up protection measures for protection of Dhola Hatighuli in three phases with estimated cost of Rs. 20.72 crore. The progress made in three phases is as follows:

Phase-I: - (i) Construction of Tie bund of length 2.26 km.

(ii)Construction of permeable RCC porcupine screens of length 1500 m

(iii)Construction of retirement of length 4.65 km at Hatighuli.

Phase-II:- (i) Construction of RCC porcupine screens across Balunalla and Anantanallah.

(ii) A pilot channel of 30m bed width with bell mouth transition from a width of 100m at the beginning to a width of 30m in distance of 100m to guide the flow.

Phase-III: - (i) Construction of 7 rows RCC porcupine across the river Lohit from Dhollaghat to outfall of Pilot channel for a length of 5500 m.

(ii) Construction of 3 rows of RCC porcupine screens along the left bank of Pilot channel for a length of 4000 m

(iii) Construction of 3 rows of RCC porcupine screen along the left bank of Lohit and Dhollaghat for a length of 2000 m.

(iv) RCC porcupine screen along the left bank of river Lohit off take of spill channel of Sisini of length 600 m.

(v) Construction of 3 rows of RCC porcupine screen for a length of 150 m at upstream and construction of 4 rows of RCC porcupine screen of length of 1200m at downstream of tie bund along left bank of river Debang at Bahbari.

(d) Due to the works executed, the main flow of river Dibang was diverted to the original course. The flow through Balunala got decreased and the problem of erosion along the southern bank of Balunala including Rohmaria area was reduced. The flood channel off- taking from Sisini almost silted up. The main channel of river Lohit has been further shifted towards north west direction for which erosion at bank is to some extent mitigated. The works carried out have resulted in benefit to a number of Tea gardens and also helped in controlling the erosion problem to a large extent in Rohmaria area of Assam.

(e) No reports of diversions have been received from Assam.

(f) Does not arise.

(g) After completing the retirement of length 4.6 km at Hatighuli in 2003, the Brahmaputra Board had requested the Water Resources Department, Government of Assam to take over the same. The response from the State Water Resources Department is awaited.