(a) whether minimum mandated lean season channel depth of 2m or 1.5 m is yet to be ensured in Pandu-Sadia sector of NW-II;
(b) if so, the reason therefor and the sectoral data thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the minimum mandated depth during lean season in the said sector?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS(SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a)&(b) Considering the characteristics of NW-II, the Inland Waterways Authority of India has planned to provide 2 m minimum depth between Dhubri and Dibrugarh (768 km) and 1.5m between Dibrugarh – Balijan (42km) in 2005-06. In 2004-05 minimum depth of 2 m for about 330 days was provided between Dhubri –Pandu section (255km) and Pandu – Neamati section (375km).In Neamati –Dibrugarh section (138 km), 2m depth was maintained for about 300 days and 1 m depth was maintained in Dibrugarh – Sadiya (123km) section.
(c) For maintaining the depth, bandalling is taken up by IWAI during the low water level period on year to year basis. Besides, dredging is also undertaken. One hydraulic surface dredger and one cutter suction dredger have already been deployed on national waterway No.2.