Dhemaji: Majuli is all set for a bumper investment week from Thursday with the Centre and state collectively pumping in Rs 345.5 crore for infrastructure development projects. the highest in the history of the riverine island
The local residents, however, are hoping that the enthusiasm the administration is displaying for the launch does not subside after the mega functions to be held at two venues.
The first mega project to be launched will be the Rs 7.5 crore Ayush (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy) hospital on Thursday followed by the Rs 40-crore Brahmaputra Board office on Friday.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is also the Majuli MLA, will lay the foundation stone of the Ayush hospital at Sriram Chapori (Mahbheti).
Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone of the Brahmaputra Board complex and launch the Rs 237-crore project taken up by board to protect Majuli from flood and erosion at Rawnapar.
At the same event, Sonowal will launch 19 schemes for mitigation of flood and erosion taken up by the state water resources department in Majuli, at a cost of Rs 61 crore.
A pandal to accommodate 20,000 people is being built by the district administration on the premises of Samaguri Xatra HS School at Raunpara where Gadkari and Sonowal will address the gathering. A source said the Union minister will also declare the status of the bridge supposed to be built between Jorhat and Majuli.
Majuli deputy commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha visited Sriram Chapori and Rawnapar several times to take stock of the progress of preparations for the programmes.
Jha told The Telegraph, "We are fully prepared to welcome the dignitaries and people to take part in an important moment for Majuli's protection and infrastructure development."
The people of Majuli are happy about the steps taken by the government for protection of the island which faces serious threat from flood and erosion. Pratap Doley, a resident of Sriram Chapori, said while the foundation-laying ceremonies for the mega projects were appreciable, the work must be completed within the stipulated time and should not merely remain mere foundation stones.
