BJP led alliance government in Assam has done impressive works during its tenure in the state.
However, as astounding as it may sound, certain sections of government departments remain vexed due to various hurdles or failures in departmental works. Due to which people from various places of Assam have been experiencing many complications and muddle state.
Such is the case of Udalguri district residents comprising mostly of farmers who have waited decades to see a project become reality.
An irrigation project at the Udalguri district is yet to be completed even after 45 years of inception.
The work on the Dhansiri Irrigation Project in Udalguri which was termed as a major project initiated with the help of the Central government begun in 1975. However, even after 45 years of its initiation, the project is yet to see the face of completion.
The Dhansiri Irrigation Project in Udalguri has been termed as a Major Irrigation project by the Government of Assam (GoA). Sanctioned to cover an area of 12,000 hectares of cultivable land, the initial estimated project cost was Rs. 15.83 crores. However, before the project could gear up, the Assam Movement (Anti-Foreigners Agitation) stated all over the state from 1979 continuing for long till 1985.
Many other reasons were also cited by the authorities even after the end of the Assam Movement.
1. Change of course of Dhansiri river in the upper reaches.
2. Scarcity in the availability of materials such as cement, steel.
3. Land acquisition problems.
4. Interstate and international border dispute with Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.
Cost escalation of materials hit the project very hard raising the estimated cost of the project. The project which initially started with an estimate of Rs. 15.83 crores in 1975 have now been enhanced to almost Rs. 568 crores. According to an official, NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) has decided to provide a loan of Rs. 116 crores to complete the remaining works of the project.
The Dhansiri Irrigation Project is now under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP- General & 6th Schedule). To date, there are ten projects which come under the Major and Medium Irrigation Projects that received the Central assistance under AIBP. However, out of the ten projects, four projects are yet to be completed.
1. Dhansiri Irrigation Project, Udalguri district. Estimate cost- Rs. 567.05 crores.
2. Borolia Irrigation Project, Baksa district, Estimate cost- Rs. 84.97 crores.
3. LIS from river Buridhing in Khowang area, Dibrugarh. Estimate cost- Rs. 23.47 crores.
4. Amreng Irrigation Project, Karbi Anglong. Estimate cost- Rs. 61.45 crores.
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