Dhemaji, April 27: The people of Matmora under Dhakuakhana subdivision in Upper Assam's Lakhimpur district have demanded the repair of the geo-tube dykes along the Brahmaputra ahead of the monsoon.

The geo-tube textile embankment, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 142 crore in 2009, is depleting fast, triggering fear of devastation among the people of the area. People fear that if the dyke is not repaired in time, more damage will be caused during the rainy season.

After tasting success in the implementation of the Rs 100-crore Matmora geo-tube textile pilot project, the government had extended the project by another 14km to reduce the chances of floods and erosion in Dhakuakhana subdivision.

Around 5 lakh people from 200 villages were suffering from recurring floods and erosion in the area for several years. Construction of the dykes with new technology generated hope among the villagers. Breaches in the Sisi Tekeliphuta dyke in Dhakuakhana subdivision had compounded the problem for the people.

The Matmora geo-tube project, between Matmora and Madarguri, was implemented by Emaskiara, a Malaysian company, after a global tender was floated by the state water resources department.

After the first phase of the Rs 100-crore pilot project, Rs 41 crore was released to strengthen the existing portion of the 27km dyke.

Mising students' body, Takam Mising Porin Kebang, has also expressed concern and said if the dyke is not maintained properly, people of Matmora are staring at a bleak future again.