Guwahati, July 13 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today expressed his displeasure over the slow pace of implementation of Majuli protection project and warned of legal action against the organisation if they fail to complete the project within stipulated timeframe.
"The protection of the river island is an emotional issue for the people of Assam as Majuli is the seat of the state's Vaishnavite culture and heritage and any negligence by the organisation in implementing the project will lead to severe action against it," Sonowal said while reviewing the progress of the project in Majuli.
The project was allotted to T K Engineering on November 24 last year and has a timeframe of 18 months which will expire on May, 2019.
The project entails 27 km long erosion protection work for a total cost of Rs 200 crore.
"The project for Majuli protection is the manifestation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment towards Assam and both the Brahmaputra Board and the organisation must work with dedication and sincerity in implementing the project," he added.
The chief minister also said that Tourism Minister Chandan Brahma, who is in-charge minister for looking after the Majuli affairs, would again hold a review meeting next month and in case of any lapse, legal action would be taken.
Both the Central and the state government have come forward to solve the perennial problems facing the river island and Brahmaputra Board must win the people's trust here through their work, he stated.
"People need solutions, not excuses. The delay in implementation of the project has raised serious doubts in the people's minds and the newly appointed chairman of the board must strive hard to fulfil the expectations of the public from the board," Sonowal asserted.
Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board Rajiv Yadav informed that the firm has already been penalised with a fine of Rs 1.6 crore for the delay in implementing the project.
Apart from the Majuli protection project, other projects implemented by the Board at Nimatighat and Morigaon and different flood management projects were also discussed.
