""Dredging will primarily emphasize on erosion control, sediment management and flood control. The whole process will be carried out in line with the hydrological character of the Brahmaputra," he added.The annual silt load of the river has had an adverse effect on its water-carrying capacity, causing floods during the monsoon.Sonowal said, "Since the Brahmaputra serves as the lifeline of Assam, it has to be harnessed to serve the people. "The government's decision is based on a suggestion by a parliamentary panel of the Union water resources ministry. The first dredging operation on the river began in 1970 but was discontinued soon after because of the high costs involved.A standing committee of experts for protection of Majuli Island in 2014 stated that in 2013, the Brahmaputra Board had hired dredger from Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for a pilot project. The project was aborted after some employee of Brahmaputra Board were threatened by some unidentified persons.

Source: Times of India August 24, 2016 01:30 UTC