Question : PROTECTION OF BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER IN ASSAM

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the conservation and sustainability of river Brahmaputra in Assam; and

(b) if so, the details of the project?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES & MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)

(a) & (b) Water is a state subject and water resources schemes for conservation and sustainability of rivers are formulated, executed and funded by the State Governments from their own resources and as per their own priorities. The assistance provided by the Central Government is technical, catalytical and promotional in nature.

Brahmaputra Board, a statutory body under Ministry of Water Resources, has prepared Master Plan for Brahmaputra main stem and all its tributaries after carrying out necessary survey and investigation, for planned development of Brahmaputra river giving due regard to development of irrigation, power, navigation etc. The Master Plan identified specific erosion prone reaches and gave various recommendations for control of flood, erosion, embankment construction, environment, ecology, watershed management and removal of drainage congestion including multipurpose storage dams. In addition to Brahmaputra Main Stem, the Master Plan for other 56 Nos. of Basins /Sub-basins of Brahmaputra & Barak valley have also been taken up by Brahmaputra Board. Out of 57 Nos. of Master Plans, 49 Nos. have been approved by Government of India and sent to the state Governments for implementation.

For management of flood and erosion of Brahmaputra, the Board has taken up works in Dhola-Hatighuli area and Majuli Island in phased manner under two separate schemes in January 2003 and January 2004 respectively. Amounts of Rs 49.39 crore and Rs 100.66 crore have been spent up till February 2012 against the above two schemes respectively. The Physical and financial status of the above two schemes are at Annexure –I.

In addition to the above, the Central Government is providing financial assistance to Government of Assam for mitigation of flood & erosion in Brahmaputra River through flood management & anti-erosion works under a state sector scheme namely, “Flood Management Programme” (FMP). During XI Five Year Plan, 100 Flood management works with a total cost of Rs. 996.14 Cr. (Central Share: Rs.896.5 Cr.) from State of Assam are being provided central assistance under FMP. Central Assistance amounting to Rs.690.77 crore has been released to the State Government of Assam upto 23.03.2012. Out of these 100 schemes, 74 works have been physically completed by Govt. of Assam as on 31.1.2012.