Tendency of Water is flow always in straight direction

One bank of the river erodes, while another accretes. This is the normal game of River. But River Brahmaputra does not play this game.

But there is River in world which never follow the characteristics of erodes and accretes its bank. It Erodes both side of bank. That is River Brahmaputra in Assam. World largest alluvial deposited river

The Brahmaputra River is one of the largest alluvial rivers in the world characterized by frequent bank erosion leading to channel pattern changes and shifting of bank line• The average width of Brahamaputra was 9.74 Km in 1915 year and

it become 14.03 Km in the year 2005. (Report from Dibrugarh University and IIT Kanpur.)

• From 1912 to 1996 , Assam Lost 2358 Sq Km land by Brahmaputra erosion.( Sources petition filled by Mr Prodyut Bora to Supreme Court)

• Area of Brahmaputra river in the year 1990 was 5901.59 Sq Km. The area captured by IRS 1A LISS-I in the year 1990.

• Area of Brahmaputra river in the year 2008 was 6275.21 Sq Km. The area captured by IRS-P6 LISS-III in the year 2008.

• Area of Brahmaputra river in the year 2013 was 6392.59 Sq Km. The area captured by Google Earth in the year 2013.

Erosion in the river Brahmaputra reduces the many fertile and cultivated land of Assam and also Town area of many Big city like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tezpur etc.

1. Dibrugarh 2. Tezpur

3. Guwahati 4. Goalpara

5. Dhubri

One of World’s largest River Islands “Majuli” is in River Brahmaputra. Majuli is also a heritage site in Assam which needs to be protected from erosion.

Majuli will be no more known as river Island as River Brahmaputra cuts its one periphery which is seen in latest satellite Image. There fore we need to established a Brahmaputra river channel to protect Majuli . In Latest Picture Brahmaputra not cover all side of Majuli.

Majuli is facing existential threat as River Brahmaputra cuts its one periphery which is seen in latest satellite Image. Therefore we need to establish a Brahmaputra river channel to protect Majuli .

The Kaziranga National Park is also share River Brahmaputra. The world Heritage site Kaziranga famous for One –horned rhino. The further river erosion will reduce the area of Kaziranga.

• There are two Implementing agency for flood & Erosion control at Assam.

A. Brahmaputra Board, Ministry of Water ResourcesB. Department of Water Resources, Govt. of Assam Ministry of Water Resources implemented Flood

Management Programme in the XII Plan during 2012-2017 year.

Under the Flood Management Programme Central Government released fund to state Assam as

X Plan (2002-2007) XI Plan ( 2007-2012) XII Plan ( Projected Outlay)

78.81 Crore 748.86 Crore 5600.00 Crore

Its time to retrieve back the land which was lost to Brahmaputra during flood erosion. It is fact that average width River Brahmaputra is 14.03 K.M but it also flow through 1.1234 K.M width in down flow near Guwahati and 2.421 K.M. near Goalpara.

Width of Brahmaputra River Near Dibrugarh is 10.384 Km

Width of Brahmaputra River Near Tezpur is 2.885 Km

Width of Brahmaputra River Near Guwahati is 1.110 Km

Width of Brahmaputra River Near Goalpara is 2.248 Km

Total Length share by Brahamputra river in Assam is 680 Km, and water discharge also vary from Dibrigarh to Dhubri, Shown as bellow

Base upon discharge of River, we have to design width accordingly. Width of River 1500 Meter from Dibrugarh to Tezpur with Total length 278.32 km

From Dibrugarh to Tezpur River width will be mainatin as 1500 Meter. Which an 278.32 Km Length

Base upon discharge of River, we have to design width accordingly. Width of River vary from Tezpur with 1500 Meter to Guwahati 2000 Meter with Total length 148.29 km

River width 2000 Meter at Guwahati and vary with 2500 meter upto Goalpara which is an length of 92.74 Km

River width 2500 Meter at Goalpara and vary with 3000 meter upto Dhubri and border of Assam which is an length of 81.72 Km

Protecting of Brahmaputra river bank is different and retrieve back the landslide and erosion portion is another issue .

There is only one way to reduce the Brahmaputra river average with 10.75 Km to 1.5 Km at Dibrugarh and 3.00 Km at Dhubri is by DREDGING

Some Glimpse that Dredging help to retrieve river bank

River Bank fill up by dredging and also protected

Dredging is the best technique to stabilized the river bed.

River sedimentation convey to river bank By Floating pipe which can transport to any desire length

After filling the bank we need to protect the river bank to prevent erosion during flood. There are many various technique to stabilization of River Bank, But not given any permanent solution.

1. Geo Polymer Bags 2. Random Ruble Boulder

Geopolymer Bags with sand filling as Bank protection

Anther alternate is by Boulder Filling with galvanized and PVC coated gabions baskets.

Cost Effective and Time saving Protection

Cost analysis and availability of materials

1. Geo polymer Bags supplied by approved agency . For protecting 680.00 Km river embankment need huge quantity of Geo Polymer bags and cost enquire also too much.

2. Bangladesh’s Water Development Board executed Padma river protection with the help of World Bank and Asian development Bank, which cost $ 2 Million per Km. i.e for Brahmaputra River 680 Km both side protection cost will be 16,242.48 Crore.

Glimpse Padma and Meghna rivers Project at Bangladesh

Glimpse Padma and Meghna rivers Project at Bangladesh

For both alternate we need huge quantity of materials it may be Geo Polymer Bags or may be Boulder. For Geo Polymer bags we need to give supply order and manufacturer will deliver based upon supply demand which is risk oriented in terms of timely deliver. As we have only six month time in a year for construction that’s is from November to April where water level is low .

As Brahmaputra river comes from Arunachal with rocky bed so we can easily access boulder from there and transport , deliver to desire location with the help of water transportation. (Brahmaputra at Arunachal)

As Brahmaputra river comes from Arunachal with rocky bed so we can easily access boulder from there and transport , deliver to desire location with the help of water transportation. (Brahmaputra at Arunachal)

Boulder can be transport by ship and directly deploy to site with saving project cost & time.

We can collect boulder by trucks also but additional cost will come in terms shifting from stock yard to river bank.

Cost analysis for bank protection

As Per Central Water Commission Cost of construction of bank pitching using boulders/km length 6.71 Crore.

Cost of construction of bank pitching using geo bags /km length 8.58 Crore.

With both combination means water portion of bank with Geo Ply bags and top portion Boulder pitching cost will be 8.00 Crore. As Gravel will transport from Arunachal through river Brahmaputra Than cost will reduce 1 Crore per Km.

For entire 601 Km length if we protect both side, Project need total cost of 8414.00 Crore Amount.

Dredging cost .

There are many MNC organization as well as PSU organization engaged in dredging activity

• MNC Organization1. Western Dredging Association, America2. Dredging International , Belgium3. Van Oord, Netherlands.• PSU Organization 1. Dredging Corporation of India Limited.

Quantity of Dredging in Cubic Meter a) Present Brahmaputra alignment in red line b) Proposed alignment in Blue line c) Fill up area in dark green

a) Present Brahmaputra alignment in red line b)

Proposed alignment in Blue line c) Fill up area in dark green.

A) Brahmaputra river length is 601.00 Km from Dibrugarh. Area occupied as on 6392.59 Sq Km.

B) The proposed Average width of River Brahmautra is 1.84 Km from Dibrugarh to Dhubri and than Assam Border.

C) Average depth of dredging in 15.00 Meter.E) The quantity of Dredging is very large which need

very advance, sophisticated dredger. Presently in world Maximum Capacity of Trailer Suction hopper dredger is 45,000 Cum per Hr.

A) Brahmaputra river length is 601.00 Km from Dibrugarh. Area occupied as on 6392.59 Sq Km.

B) The proposed Average width of River Brahmautra is 1.84 Km from Dibrugarh to Dhubri and than Assam Border.

C) Average depth of dredging in 15.00 Meter.

D) Volume of dredging is = 601000 X 1840 X 15 meter= 1658.76 Crore Cum Meter

E) The quantity of Dredging is very large which need very advance, sophisticated dredger. Presently in world Maximum Capacity of Trailer Suction hopper dredger is 45,000 Cum per Hr. .

• That means for entire length of Brahmaputra River if we need to complete within 10 years we need to deploy 13 Trailer Suction hopper dredger with 35,000 Cum Hooper capacity .

• And cost expenditure will be 10 to 15 Rs/Cubic Meter. Which is around = 1658.76 X 10 Rs

= 16587.60 Crore

Outcome from this Project. 1. Assam can born new land of approximate area

5390.56 Sq Km and can return Back land to the landless families who lost there land due to river erosion. There are 4 lakh, 29 thousand landless families.

2. This land will be added in Assam Government account and can be utilize for many industry setup which can connect through Inland Water Transport.

3. Huge quantity of fertile land can be used for farming during dry season and export through Inland Water Transport.

4. Erradicate erosion of river bank during rainy season.

5. The developed land can be used for pond fish farming.

6. The major economical advantages will be opportunity for Inland Water transport and earn revenue.

7. Assam can access low cost imported product with the help of inland water transport through Bangladesh.

8. Noteworthy that only 480 Km distance need to travel through Bangadesh to inter Assam via sea.

9. Scope for develop port city in many town of Assam in National Waterway-2 which Brahmaputra River as declared in 1988 i.e Dhubri, Jugighopa, Pandu , Tezpur, Silghat, Dibrugarh and Sadiya.

10. No additional investment in land acquisition for port as available land will be develop from Brahmaputra River by dredging and filling bank.

11. No need for Government Investment in Port Construction as many Public parties will be interest as there is huge demand of Import material at Assam which is corridor of North East.

12. Flood control by river dredging .13. Cost of Inland Water transport is economical and

also bulk access.

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Fuel efficiency: One HP movesKgs

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IWT – A COST EFFECTIVE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

Future view of National Wataerway-2 that’s Brahmaputra river with Cargo Transport

Future view of National Wataerway-2 while entering to Saraighat Bridge near Guwahati.

Major difficulties.1. River bank protection cost required 9616.00 Crore

and dredging of river bed need 16587.60 Crore so altogether required 26,203.6 Crore amount. Which is too high compare to XII plan allocation fund.

2. Working season available is only 6 Month. That’s is from November to March when water level become low.

3. For deploying Trailer Suction hopper dredger it has to come through Bangladesh and also need to cross four river bridge of Brahmaputra river. Where passing clearance may not available.

About The PresenterDipankar DasNational Executive & Manipur State convenor SC MorchaBharatiya Janata PartyB-Tech(Civil) from NIT WarangalPG-Infrastructure Management & Development (NICMAR)PGD-Sustainable Rural Development (NIRD Hyderabad)Member of American Society of Civil Engineering.Worked in many prestigious project as technical officer in Government of India organization.