Stalemate on anti-erosion works

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 29: Officials of the Farakka Barrage Project, a Central government wing, and the state irrigation department have locked horns over the issue of anti-erosion works on the left bank of the Ganges.While the FBP is responsible to initiate anti-erosion measures, flood protection is the responsibility of the state irrigation department. Officials of the two departments are not cooperating with each other. As a result, anti-erosion and flood protection works on the left bank of the Ganges has suffered.Yesterday, the executive engineer of Malda irrigation division, Mr S Misra allegedly refused to provide a vessel to the FBP officials who wanted to visit the Ganges following severe erosion at Domhat in Manikchak block. "We can not provide you the vessel without the chief engineer's permission," Mr Misra, allegedly told the FBP officials. It was learnt that Mr Misra was unhappy with a complaint lodged against him by a superintendent engineer of the FBP. The complaint letter that included a photograph of the spot and addressed to senior officials of the state irrigation department, read: "The irrigation department has constructed a mini dyke in an unscientific manner on the left bank of the Ganges." The FBP official also wrote in his complaint letter that the new mini dyke would breach at any moment and inundate vast areas, besides claiming several human lives. Today, the FBP officials informed the state irrigation officials about severe erosion at Narayanpur. They requested the irrigation officials to initiate anti-erosion measures in the area. Mr Misra, however, told the FBP officials that since the area is under the jurisdiction of the FBP, the irrigation department would not take up any anti-erosion work there. "The FBP is responsible for anti-erosion work from Farakka Barrage to 40 km upstream up to Rajmahal," Mr Misra, said. The Farakka officials, however, claimed that the FBP's jurisdiction ends at Manikchakghaat.