Shillong: The 87th meeting of the Brahmaputra Board was convened on Tuesday in Shillong under the chairmanship of Dr. Ranbir Singh, Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board.
Senior officials from the Central and State Governments of all Northeastern states, along with representatives from West Bengal, attended the meeting. Discussions focused on reviewing ongoing programmes and deliberating on strategic initiatives related to integrated water resources management, flood and erosion control, and institutional strengthening across the Brahmaputra and Barak river basins.
During the meeting, decisions taken at the 83rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Brahmaputra Board held on January 30 and February 7, 2026, were formally ratified. Several important project proposals were approved, including a comprehensive assessment of riverbank erosion and prioritisation of mitigation strategies for the Brahmaputra River Basin; surveys and investigations for drainage mapping and physiographic analysis of the Jiadhal River in Arunachal Pradesh; preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for desilting works in Manipur and flood and bank erosion mitigation at 13 vulnerable sites along the Barak River in Silchar, Assam.
Other approved initiatives included development and renovation of a local pond at Inamung Pat in Imphal East district, Manipur; Swachhata-related activities for the financial year 2026–27; field surveys for mathematical modelling of Majuli Island under Phase VI protection works; updation of the Master Plan for Majuli Island; and landscape development of the Basistha riverfront adjacent to the Brahmaputra Board campus in Guwahati.
The Board also approved the detailed budget allocation and Annual Action Plan of the Brahmaputra Board for the year 2026–27.
Presentations were made on the status of handing over completed projects executed by the Board, as well as on the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for preparation of master plans, which were appraised by the members.
It was further decided to include three additional master plans—Dibang–Disang, Noa-Dihing and Rangit—bringing the total number of master plans identified by the Brahmaputra Board to 76.
Members from the State Governments shared updates on actions taken following decisions made during the review meeting of the Secretary, DoWR, RD and GR held on December 12, 2025, and the visit to Majuli Island on December 10, 2025. They also discussed various schemes being implemented in their respective states.
Reiterating the Board’s commitment, the Chairman assured continued support to the basin states for effective and sustainable water resources management across the region.
