Guwahati, May 22: In a major push toward modernizing flood and erosion control, the Assam Water Resources Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. The agreement will see 20 departmental engineers enrolled in an online M.Tech program on Water Resources each year.
The MoU, signed by IIT Guwahati Director (In-Charge) Professor Sukumar Nandi and Water Resources Chief Engineer Bhaskar Sharma, was formalized at a special ceremony at Janata Bhawan, Dispur, in the presence of Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika.
Over the next 10 years, around 200 engineers are expected to benefit from the program, which is part of a broader initiative by the Flood and River Erosion Management Authority of Assam (FREMAA), supported by the World Bank. The course will equip engineers with advanced technical skills to design and implement more effective flood control systems.
“Just like medical professionals constantly update their skills, it’s vital that engineers working on critical infrastructure stay up to date with modern technology,” Minister Hazarika said during his address.
The Minister highlighted the department’s progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, noting that despite Assam’s annual Rs 2,000 crore budget for water resources, technology remains the key to long-term solutions. “Floods have held Assam back for decades. We’ve seen a 60-70% reduction in flood incidents in the last four years, but lasting solutions require the right tools,” he added.
He also emphasized the need to rehabilitate approximately 4,500 km of ageing dams using modern methods and technologies. Citing recent successes such as emergency dam repairs using Geo Mega Tubes during heavy rains, Hazarika urged engineers to utilize this opportunity for professional development fully.
The event was also attended by FREMAA CEO Dr. Jeevan B, Water Resources Secretary Pavithra Ram Khound, World Bank Global Lead Greg Browder, engineers from the department, and faculty from IIT Guwahati.
“This collaboration is not just academic—it’s about transforming how we manage floods in Assam,” said Hazarika, expressing confidence in the partnership’s potential impact.
