Guwahati, July 16: In a high-stakes meeting held in Baksa district, Assam Minister for Health, Family Welfare, and Irrigation Ashok Singhal took charge of growing concerns around the state’s traditional irrigation system, Dong Bundh or ‘Dong’, and issued firm directives for its protection, repair, and modernisation.
Presiding over a gathering of officials, irrigation engineers, and community leaders at the District Commissioner’s conference hall, Singhal called the Dong Bundh a “natural asset for Assam” and said its preservation is non-negotiable. The minister emphasised the nearly 80-year-old system’s critical role in sustaining agriculture, especially in the Bodo heartlands of Baksa, Tamulpur, and Udalguri.
The traditional Dong Bundh system, comprising centuries-old canals (locally called dongs) that divert river water from Bhutan into agricultural lands, is still managed by grassroots committees. These community-led systems have become even more important amid growing climate instability and winter droughts.
At the meeting, Singhal received detailed memoranda from various Dong Bundh Management Committees, highlighting urgent problems, such as boulders and tree debris choking waterways after floods, and broken canal gates blocking water flow. He immediately directed the Irrigation Department officials from Baksa, Tamulpur, and Udalguri to conduct on-site inspections and resolve these issues without delay.
He also ordered the Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department to launch a field study assessing the overall health, usage, and economic impact of the Dong Bundh system and submit a comprehensive report.
As discussions expanded, the focus shifted to the integration of the Dong Bundh with mainstream irrigation projects, potential canal expansion in Tamulpur, and institutional support to ensure long-term sustainability. Singhal reminded the district administration to stay alert and proactive in responding to Dong-related issues, stating that irrigation is not just a technical challenge but a lifeline for rural livelihoods.
The meeting was attended by Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly Speaker Katiram Boro, District Commissioner Gautam Das, senior irrigation officials, and representatives from Dong Bundh committees across Baksa and Tamulpur.
Earlier in the day, Singhal made an unannounced inspection of Dr. Rabi Bodo Civil Hospital in Mushalpur. Touring the registration area, dialysis unit, and maternity ward, he interacted with patients and took stock of overcrowding and inadequate amenities. Noting the lack of basic comforts like fans and drinking water, he instructed the District Commissioner to ensure immediate improvements, including more seating and upgraded facilities for the local population.
BTC Speaker Katiram Boro and DC Gautam Das also accompanied the Minister during the hospital visit, along with senior officials from the Health Department.
