Unused geo‑bags sit idle in Assam's Kamrup district amid worsening Brahmaputra erosion

Thousands of geo‑bags meant for riverbank erosion control have been stored for years at the Water Resources Department's inspection bungalow in Chulikata, Kamrup district, Assam. Local residents say the bags, worth crores of rupees, remain unused while the Brahmaputra continues to erode banks at Simina, Guimara and Gumi, heightening flood risks.

The community has accused the department of poor planning and possible waste of public funds, urging Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene. A department official responded that the bags were procured under an Asian Development Bank‑assisted project awarded to Brahmaputra Infrastructure Limited, that about 90% of work in the area is complete, and that the stored bags are in good condition and ready for use.