Drainage scheme along border dropped

MALDA, Nov. 5: A drainage scheme along the Indo-Bangladesh border near Sabdalpur border outpost in Kaliachak III has been dropped officially to avoid borderline dispute. After a final survey conducted by the irrigation officials it was found that setting up of a sluice gate is not feasible along the low lying areas. “An alternative plan would not be possible since there is no provision for a permanent construction within certain areas of the borderline between the two countries,” a senior irrigation official said. The district magistrate has been informed recently. A plan was adopted to prevent floodwaters from disrupting border patrolling areas during monsoons. Besides the sluice gate any embankment with culvert was also not feasible. Official sources said: “A simple embankment will create water-logging due to heavy rain and one with a simple culvert will allow floodwaters from the Ganges to inundate the Indian part,” official sources said. There is no fresh report on taking up of anti-erosion work from the central water commission along the Indo-Bangladesh border irrigation officials said. n SNS