Defence Ministry nod to pending Brahmaputra embankment: Min Sonowal

DIBRUGARH: The Defence Ministry has given permission for construction of the pending portion of the Brahmaputra embankment in the Army cantonment area here, Sarbananda Sonowal today said.

The Defence Ministry gave permission on March 5 for the construction of 700 metres of the Rs 29 crore Asian Development Bank funded embankment for the protection of Dibrugarh city from the Brahmapura flowing alongside, Sonowal told PTI here.

Construction of 1,200 meters of the embankment was restricted by the Army as the land was in the cantonment area, said Sonowal.

Sonowal, who hails from Dibrugarh and is a Lok Sabha MP from Assam, said the Defence Ministry has assured him that permission would be given soon before the onset of the monsoons for the construction of the rest of the 700 meters.

The Minister today reviewed the completed extension and strengthening works of the embankment and expressed his satisfaction with the progress made so far.

He also suggested that the dyke be developed on the lines of Mumbai's Marine Drive by turning it into a revenue generating spot by beautification, lighting and planting of trees for the tourists.