Boko, June 9: A multi-crore river protection project built to shield vulnerable communities from the Brahmaputra’s relentless erosion is itself being swallowed by the river, triggering anger, anxiety and serious questions about the quality of the work.
Dramatic visuals from Barakhat and Khalihamari areas in Assam’s Chamaria constituency show large sections of geo-bag embankments collapsing into the Brahmaputra, even as the ambitious erosion-control project remains incomplete.
The project, reportedly worth around Rs 300 crore and executed under the Water Resources Department, was intended to protect erosion-prone stretches along the river. Instead, residents say portions of the newly built protection structures have already given way under the force of the current.
Locals have alleged poor workmanship, use of substandard materials and serious lapses in execution. Many claim the structures failed to withstand conditions that are routinely experienced during the early stages of the monsoon.
The project has been awarded to Brahmaputra Infrastructure Limited, according to local residents, who are now demanding an independent inquiry into the collapse and accountability from both the contractor and the authorities responsible for supervision.
For families living along the riverbank, the concern extends far beyond the damaged geo-bags.
Every monsoon, the Brahmaputra redraws the map of Assam, devouring homes, farmland and entire settlements. Villagers fear that if erosion intensifies in the coming weeks, large sections of agricultural land and residential areas could once again come under threat.
The collapse has reignited concerns over the effectiveness of large-scale erosion-control projects in one of the world’s most dynamic river systems. Residents say public money was meant to buy protection and peace of mind. Instead, they now find themselves watching the river edge move closer to their homes.
As videos of the collapsing structures circulate widely, attention is likely to turn towards the quality of construction, project monitoring and whether corrective measures can be taken before the monsoon reaches its peak.
