Borjhar, Oct. 16: An Asian Development Bank(ADB)-funded anti-erosion project in Assam's Kamrup district has been hit by the problem itself.

The Brahmaputra has eroded nearly a 200-metre stretch since yesterday at Dakhala in the district where work for the ADB-funded project is under way to check the long-standing problem of erosion in Palashbari.

The project covers 5km from Dakhala hill in Kamrup to Majirgaon in Kamrup (metro) district. It includes erosion-control measures, strengthening of existing embankment in Palashbari and construction of a new one with the help of latest technology.

The state's water resources department is supervising the project and the Flood and Riverbank Erosion Management Agency (Frema) is giving the work order.

Officials of the agency and project management consultancy today visited the site and suggested dumping of boulders and geo bags along the eroded stretch to prevent further damage.

"I have asked to dump loose boulders and geo bags to stem further deterioration. Once waters of the Brahmaputra recede, the damaged portion will be fully recouped," Biren Thakuria, an executive officer (technical) of the agency, told this correspondent today.

Sources in water resources department said boulders had already been dumped and about 200 geo bags would be laid along the eroded stretch.

Palashbari in lower Assam's Kamrup district and Rohmoria in Dibrugarh in Upper Assam are the worst erosion-affected areas in the state. According to the state government study, the state has lost over four lakh hectares of land to erosion by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.

A total of 961 people have been rendered homeless because of erosion by the Brahmaputra in August this year in Upper Assam's Dhemaji district. To the government, erosion is a more serious problem than floods as it has long-lasting impact on life and economy of the affected people.

The officials of the water resources department said intensity of the back flow of the current (after hitting the Dakhala hill) of the Brahmaputra might have gone up following siltation in the river.

Local residents, however, are wondering how erosion could occur in such an all-important anti-erosion project which is yet to be completed. Many have even questioned the quality of materials used in the construction which is under way.

The ambitious anti-erosion project was initiated in June 2012. It was supposed to be completed in September 2014, but the ADB had extended the deadline to July 2017.

Altogether 103 families had to be shifted for the anti-erosion project.

Frema sources said while 90 to 95 per cent underwater work of the Palashbari sub-project - which include geo bag dumping and boulder pitching - have so far been completed, 67 per cent construction of the embankment has been accomplished.