Assam: Fresh Brahmaputra erosion damages historic flood protection spur in Dibrugarh

Fresh riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra River has damaged the historic Kohair No. 1 Spur in Assam's Dibrugarh district, raising concerns over the safety of one of the town's most important flood protection structures.
 

The erosion has been reported at Maijan, where the powerful current of the Brahmaputra has begun eating away at sections of the spur, which is connected to Dibrugarh's main embankment and has protected the town from floods and erosion for decades.
 

The Kohair No. 1 Spur was commissioned in 1955, with its foundation stone laid by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Considered a key component of Dibrugarh's flood defence system, the structure has played a crucial role in safeguarding the town from the Brahmaputra's shifting course and recurring floods.
 

However, despite being in service for more than 70 years, the spur has not undergone comprehensive scientific strengthening or modernisation. Officials and local residents say parts of the ageing structure have weakened over time, making it increasingly vulnerable to erosion.
 

Residents fear that if the erosion is not contained immediately, it could threaten the main embankment protecting Dibrugarh, increasing the risk of flooding and further damage during the monsoon season.
 

The latest erosion has renewed calls for the state government and the Water Resources Department to take urgent measures to stabilise the spur, carry out scientific repairs and implement a permanent erosion-control plan.
 

Locals said repeated demands for the long-term conservation of the historic structure have yielded little progress and urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent further deterioration. They warned that failure to protect the spur could have serious consequences for Dibrugarh, a town that has long battled the twin threats of floods and riverbank erosion.