Guwahati, July 31 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the state government will begin a phased damage assessment in the flood‑ravaged districts, with Cabinet ministers visiting affected areas to evaluate losses in their respective departments before launching large‑scale infrastructure restoration from September.
Speaking to reporters here, Sarma said ministers have been assigned to conduct department‑wise assessments of the damage caused by the recent floods.
“From today, all ministers will visit the affected areas to carry out damage assessments related to their respective departments. The immediate priority is to evaluate the losses suffered by families, livestock and other assets,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government will initially focus on ensuring that displaced families can return safely to their homes before taking up major reconstruction work.
According to Sarma, restoration of roads, embankments and other public infrastructure will begin in the next phase after the flood situation stabilises completely.
“From September 1, we will start work on repairing damaged roads, embankments and other infrastructure. This exercise will require substantial financial resources, but we want to ensure that reconstruction is undertaken only after there is no possibility of fresh flooding,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that carrying out large‑scale repair works while floodwaters continue to pose a threat could result in wastage of public funds if the infrastructure is damaged again.
He said the government has therefore decided to complete the relief and rehabilitation phase first, followed by approval and execution of infrastructure projects after August.
Sarma also announced that the government is preparing a special package for the worst‑affected districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo, which witnessed extensive damage to roads and public infrastructure during the recent floods.
“We will introduce a comprehensive package for Sivasagar and Charaideo so that roads and other infrastructure can be rebuilt to a better standard than before,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government’s priority remains the rehabilitation of flood‑affected families while ensuring that reconstruction is carried out in a planned and durable manner to minimise future losses.
–IANS
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