Jorhat, Aug 28: Assam Water Resources Minister Sushanta Borgohain on Friday inspected the embankment of the Bhogdoi River in Jorhat and announced that excavation and strengthening work along the river basin would begin soon.The reconstruction of five embankment sections damaged by the recent flooding of the Bhogdoi River was completed following the Chief Minister's directive, the minister said. The damaged stretches were rebuilt using geo-bag tubes as part of efforts to provide immediate relief to flood-affected residents.Borgohain said the government is now planning wider measures to strengthen the Bhogdoi basin and improve the river's carrying capacity. The proposed work will cover the stretch from the river's origin near the Assam-Nagaland border to its confluence with the Brahmaputra. Explaining the proposed excavation, the minister said the work would not involve digging the river like a drain but would focus on deepening shallow portions and improving the flow of water.“Regarding the Bhogdoi basin, from the mouth where the Bhogdoi started near the Assam-Nagaland border up to the area where it meets the Brahmaputra, we will construct the embankments and undertake digging,” Borgohain said.He added that the government was also in touch with the World Bank for a second phase of embankment repair and reconstruction.“Now we are looking forward to repairing the embankment of Bhogdoi. We are in touch with the World Bank and in the second phase we will take that up,” he said.According to Borgohain, the government also plans to construct a one-kilometre stretch along the PWD road opposite the affected area, with tubes to be installed underneath and the embankment raised by around three metres.The minister said the recent floods damaged six embankments in Jorhat district and one in neighbouring Sivasagar district. The government intends to strengthen vulnerable embankment stretches to prevent similar breaches during future floods.“Six embankments in Jorhat district and one embankment in Sivasagar district broke down during the recent floods. To avoid breaking down of embankments again at vulnerable points, we will strengthen and raise them and use tubes to create embankments,” he said.Borgohain further said the government would also undertake measures to secure the Dorika and Dikhow rivers and rebuild vulnerable embankments in these areas.He estimated that around Rs 3,000-4,000 crore could be required for the large-scale embankment reconstruction and strengthening programme.