Assam Cracks Down on Flood Project Corruption, Suspends Engineer
Sareng, Darrang (Assam) | May 14, 2025 – Assam Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika has taken a strict stance against corruption and negligence in flood protection projects, suspending an executive engineer and ordering legal action against a contractor after substandard work was found during an inspection in Darrang district.
During a visit to Sareng on Monday, Hazarika inspected a 19.65-km embankment under construction along the Dimila River, connecting Sareng to Duikhutimukh. Following complaints from locals, the minister discovered serious lapses in the project’s execution.
Immediate Action Taken
Hazarika directed the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department to suspend the responsible Executive Engineer and initiate legal proceedings against the contractor. “There will be no compromise on flood safety. Every project must meet high standards of integrity,” he asserted, reiterating Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s vision for a corruption-free Assam.
Review of Second Embankment Project
Later, the minister assessed a 5-km embankment between Chereng Ghat PWD Road and Niz Rangamati, designed to shield villages from Brahmaputra River floods. While satisfied with the completed stretch, he urged officials to expedite remaining work without compromising quality. Sluice gates will also be installed to manage monsoon water flow.
The inspections were attended by MLAs Dr. Paramananda Rajbongshi and Basanta Das, along with senior officials. Hazarika emphasized community involvement in infrastructure projects to ensure accountability.
Assam faces severe floods annually, making robust embankments crucial for safeguarding lives and livelihoods. The state government’s crackdown on corruption signals a stronger push for transparency in disaster management projects.
