Geologist Dilip Barman passes away

Geologist-(भूविज्ञानी)- Dilip-Barman-passes-Away

GUWAHATI, April 25 - Noted geologist Dilip Kumar Barman died at his Panjabari Sankaradeva Nagar residence(रहने का स्थान)  here around 6 am today, following a massive(विशाल) cardiac arrest. He was 67.  Barman, who retired as a senior geologist of the State’s Directorate of Geology and Mining in 2010, was known for his originality and extensive study of the geological features of the State. He specialised in hydro-geological conditions of the Brahmaputra Valley and ground development, etc, geo-environmental situations arising out of landslides, land degradation and seismicity, etc. He had assessed the seismic hazard of NE based on the structural fabric evaluation(मूल्यांकन) , and studied the causes of groundwater contamination.

He conducted a survey of the city groundwater, identified a palaeochannel spreading from the Basistha basin to the Ugratara temple. It was a river course flowing through Guwahati in ancient times that got buried under sediments, he had claimed.

Barman, who joined the Directorate of Geology and Mining in 1974, after completing his MSc in 1972, also explained the science behind the Ahom-era Sivasagar tanks always maintaining their water levels above the surrounding areas. He helped in discovering the artesian aquifer at the Madan Kamdev archaeological site in the 1990s. He helped the Cement Corporation of India to drill a well into the aquifer at Bokajan, after a number of unsuccessful attempts made by others. He explained a number of geological phenomena like burning of methane gas somewhere near Nagaon, which created a lot of confusion a few years back.

A prolific writer, he also contributed to The Assam Tribune. He leaves behind his wife and a son. His last rites were performed at the Panjabari cremation ground this afternoon.