About Brahmaputra Board

Introduction:

• The Brahmaputra Board is an autonomous statutory body which is responsible for preparation and implementation of plans related to flood management, erosion control, drainage management and water resource development in the Brahmaputra valley. The board was set up under the Ministry of Irrigation (later renamed as Ministry of Water Resources) as per the Brahmaputra Board Act 1980. The Board started functioning from January 11, 1982 and it’s headquarters are located at Guwahati, Assam.
• The jurisdiction of the Board includes both the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley and covers all the States of the North Eastern Region, Sikkim and part of West Bengal falling under Brahmaputra river basin. For it’s works and establishments, Brahmaputra Board is provided fund through grant-in-aid by the Central Government. A Review Board oversee the work of the Brahmaputra Board.
• The Board consists of 21 Members ( 4 full time Members and 17 part time Members), representing seven states of the North Eastern Region, North Eastern Council, concerned Ministries and Departments of the Government of India. Since creation of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and inclusion of Sikkim and part of West Bengal within the jurisdiction of Board, some other representatives of various concerned departments or bodies are also invited as Special Invitees in the meetings of the Brahmaputra Board.

Objectives and functions of Brahmaputra Board:

• The key objectives of Brahmaputra board include preparation and implementation of Master Plans for management of flood, bank erosion and drainage congestion and development and utilization of water resources of the Brahmaputra Valley. in association with States.

Preparation of Master Plans:

• The Brahmaputra Board prepares Master Plans of the Brahmaputra and Barak river along with 57 (including Majuli Island) major tributaries of the region.
• The plans are prepared or covered in three parts: Master plan on main stem Brahmaputra River; Master Plan on Barak River and its tributaries except Dhaleswari and Master Plan on tributaries of the Brahmaputra and rivers of Tripura including Majuli island and Dhaleswari.
• The Master Plan envisages various structural and non-structural measures to tackle flood problem, erosion control and recommendable drainage congestion.

Survey & Investigation:

• Brahmaputra Board was responsible for the Survey & Investigation of various Multipurpose Projects in Brahmaputra and Barak Basin and in the south flowing rivers of Meghalaya. Example: Siang Dam Project, Subansiri Dam Project, Tipaimukh Dam Project, Pagladiya Dam Project, Bairabi Dam, Debang Dam project, Lohit Dam Project, Kynshi Stage-I Dam project, Kynshi Stage-II Dam project, Kulsi Multipurpose Project, Noa-Dehing Dam Project, Simsang Dam Project, Jiadhol Dam Project, Killing Dam Project etc.

Anti-erosion Measures:

• Brahmaputra Board has completed several anti-erosion measures in Assam and Nagaland. For example: Protection of Nagrijuli, Rangia Town, Mukalmua and Barbhag area from floods and erosion of river Puthimari and Anti-Erosion measures to protect Kushiabil & Durgajan village at Dimapur of river Dhansiri in Nagaland.
• Implementation of Anti-erosion Measures to protect Majuli island from floods and erosion is underway.

Drainage Development:

• Brahmaputra Board started several Drainage Development Schemes (DDS) in the region. Example: Harang Drainage Development Scheme, East of Barpeta Drainage Development Scheme, Jakaichuk Drainage Development Scheme, Borbhag Drainage Development Scheme, Amjur Drainage Development Scheme, Jengrai Drainage Development Scheme.

Appraisal and Monitoring of Schemes:

• The Brahmaputra Board is entrusted with monitoring of scheme under Flood Management Programme of Government of India in the North-East India and part of West Bengal falling under Brahmaputra Basin.
• North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute (NEHARI) was established in the year 1996 under Brahmaputra Board, as a follow up of historic ‘Assam Accord. The Institute is situated at Rudreswar in North Guwahati.
• It undertakes field and laboratory investigations, research and development work in Geo-mechanics, Soil Characteristics, Concrete Technology, Construction Materials and associated issues for development of Hydropower, Irrigation and Flood Control Projects.

Restructuring of Brahmaputra Board

• As part of the process of restructuring the Brahmaputra Board, formation of a new entity named the Brahmaputra River Valley Authority (BRVA) was proposed.
• But it remained a proposal till 2015. Earlier in 2015, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti announced the plan of Centre to restructure Brahmaputra Board into the North East and Brahmaputra River Rejuvenation Authority (NEBRRA).
• The new authority would follow an integrated river basin management approach for controlling floods, erosion and landslides in Brahmaputra river basin.

By: Ziyaur Rahman