46 crores estimated for erosion work in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 5: The irrigation and waterways department in Malda has estimated Rs 46 crore and prepared schemes for anti-erosion work on the bank of the rivers Mahananda and Punarbhaba along India Bangladesh border in Malda district.The estimated plans for bank line protection, covering eight km stretch along the border to protect fencing and border roads, has been sent to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for approval through state authorities of irrigation and waterways department two days ago. After receiving a ‘green signal’ from Bangladesh authorities the CWC took initiative to execute anti erosion work along the border for the protection of several structures of barbed wire fencing, which were damaged due to erosion. Though the CWC had taken initiative to carry out anti erosion work along the border, it was stalled due to objections from the Bangladesh side over the controversy of borderline demarcations.It may be noted that the CWC would execute anti erosion work in three districts - Malda, north and south Dinajpur districts. The executive engineer, irrigation department in Malda, Mr Soumen Misra said, “The schemes have been sent to CWC through state authorities for approval. If CWC clears the prepared schemes, based on their specification, the department would start the work at the beginning of winter season”.According to the irrigation department, a total of eight km stretches have identified as vulnerable for the protection of barbed wire fencing in Old Malda and Bamongola on the banks of Mahananda and Punarbhaba.(END)