According to the Bank’s website, the additional financing will expand the scope of the ongoing project by adding work locations in two of the four main river reaches that are currently part of the ongoing project, and extending work into the river's two remaining main reaches. This will contribute substantially to the broader stabilization of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, ensuring an enhanced development impact. Overall, the additional financing will improve the livelihoods of about 600,000 rural residents of Assam, particularly the poor, including women and disadvantaged persons.

Building on the success of the Assam Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program, and similar investments in Bangladesh, the Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project in Assam (the ongoing project) continues the collaboration of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the Government of Assam to tackle one of the state's critical development inhibitors: continual Brahmaputra riverbank erosion contributing to recurrent flooding, which, exacerbated by climate impacts, spurs excessive poverty and hinders socioeconomic development. The ongoing project focuses on the main stem of the Brahmaputra River, and employs a holistic, integrated, and risk-informed approach to strengthening flood and riverbank erosion risk management (FRERM), improving its long-term planning in Assam, and combining structural and nonstructural measures to mitigate erosion and flooding. The additional financing will expand the scope of the ongoing project to additional locations in four river reaches to further contribute to the broader stabilization of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

The project is categorized as B for Environmental Aspects. An initial environmental examination (IEE) that considers all project components with environmental impact has been prepared in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement. Several subproject sections fall within an ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ) and key biodiversity areas.

The project is categorized as A for Involuntary Resettlement. The works will be carried out under and above the Brahmaputra River's low waterline. Underwater works will have no involuntary resettlement impacts. The above low-waterline riverbank protection, pro-siltation, and flood embankment works will involve land acquisition, requiring acquisition of 243.35 ha of land, including 57.18 ha of private land and 11.57 ha of Eksonia land, resulting in physical or economic displacement of about 978 affected households.

The project is categorized as B for Indigenous Peoples. The project covers 12 districts of Assam. A social impact assessment and a project census survey have identified 132 scheduled tribe households as affected persons in six districts (i.e., Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Morigaon, Sivasagar, and Biswanath). A majority of the displaced persons belong to the Mising community, which is one of the major tribal groups in Assam.

The financing amount is $182,000,000, which will be financed on a loan basis by ADB’s ordinary capital resources.

Flood and River Erosion Management Agency of Assam
Dr. Jeevan Basavaraj, IAS
Chief Executive Officer
4th Floor, Assam Water Centre, Basistha Charilai
NH-27, Guwahati-29, Assam, India
ceo-fremaa@assam.gov.in

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.adb.org/forms/request-information-form

ADB has a two-stage appeals process for requesters who believe that ADB has denied their request for information in violation of its Access to Information Policy. You can learn more about filing an appeal at: https://www.adb.org/site/disclosure/appeals

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.