Anti-erosion schemes for Fulohar

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 28 MAY: The Mahananda Embankment division, another wing of the irrigation department in Malda, has prepared two temporary anti-erosion schemes for the protection of Bhaluka Bazaar area in Harishchandrapur in the northern part of the district. Though the department had proposed a Rs 7 crore scheme to stem erosion of the river Fulohar at Bhaluka Bazaar, the department could not take initiative to ready the scheme over the last few months due to the Model Code of Conduct for the general elections. The executive engineer, Mahananda Embankment division, Mr BN Das, said: “Due to severe erosion of the river Fulohar, large areas were eroded away last year and at present the river bank line touches the existing embankment located at Bhaluka Bazaar.” “A 1.5 km stretch was hit by erosion last year and out of that, an area of nearly 500m is highly vulnerable. Without preventive measures, the present embankment, the thickly populated area and local market place, may be wiped out this monsoon," said Mr BN Das. According to Mr Das, one scheme has been sent to the superintendent engineer in the north central circle and chief engineer in Kolkata for approval and another scheme is being prepared by the departmental engineers. Nearly Rs 50 lakh has been estimated for the protection of the bank of Fulohar so that the existing embankment for flood protection can prevent flood waters effectively during monsoon, when its water level will cross the danger mark. “We are waiting for final approval from our higher authorities and then will issue float a tender to begin the anti-erosion work at Bhaluka Bazaar,” Mr Das said.