Guwahati: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in setting up of long awaitedBrahmaputra River Valley Authority (BRVA) by revamping and restructuring the existing Brahmaputra Board within a short timeframe.
Gogoi in a letter to the Prime Minister said the creation of BRVA is of paramount importance to tackle the perennial problem of flood and erosion, water-related hazards in Assam and the Northeast as a whole.
“We are facing formidable challenges in flood and erosion management sector due to non- implementation of integrated water resources management of the complex Brahmaputra river system,” Gogoi mentioned in the letter adding, “though Government of India had announced creation of Northeast Water Resources Authority (NEWRA) for harnessing vast water resources of Northeast region in 2004, it did not materialise due to objections raised by Arunachal Pradesh. Till this matter is resolved, Government of India may constitute the BRVA to tackle the flood and erosion problems in the region.”
It may be mentioned that a proposal for creation of BRVA is under active consideration of Government of India. In this regard, the Government of Assam has already placed its requisite views before Government of India in November 2012.
The Gogoi also urged the Prime Minister for early approval of Flood and Erosion Management Project of Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys by the Ministry of Water Resources.
Gogoi further requested Modi to facilitate the establishment of an Indian Institute of Management in Guwahati. “It is felt that such an institute will not only cater to the aspirations of young talents of the State, the region and the country but also act as a research and development institute for addressing the problems of the State, including the region,” he said.
Gogoi also took up the matter with Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Smriti Zubin Irani regarding setting up of a management institute in Guwahati. Gogoi promised to provide the required land for establishment of the management institute.
Gogoi also welcomed the announcement of Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan to set up AIIMS-like institutes under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana in every State.
In a letter to Dr. Vardhan, Gogoi said Assam government was keen to set up an AIIMS-like institution in and around Guwahati city. “Our Government is eager to have such an institution in Guwahati and would extend all possible support and cooperation towards this end,” he said.
Gogoi informed Dr. Vardhan about Assam government’s efforts to identify some suitable plots of land measuring around 200 acres for the purpose. He assured land free of cost and other required infrastructure like roads, water supply and electricity connections to set up an AIIMS-like institution in Guwahati.
