Fulohar causes more erosion

Statesman News Service

MALDA/JALPAIGURI, 12 AUG.: Part of a damaged embankment was destroyed last night due to severe erosion of river Fulohar at Bhaluka Bazaar. A few days ago an abandoned primary health centre also collapsed due to erosion. The local administration has alerted families to shift from the vulnerable spot. A total of 13 family members were residing on the embankment there.

A work assistant of the Mahananda division said that sudden fluctuation of water level had led to at least fifty percent of the embankment's width being worn away.

The remaining part is holding off flood waters, he said. The water level of the Fulohar did not cross its danger mark on the protected side today.

“The department has no plan to build any second defence line for flood protection there as there is no scope to build embankments on an emergency basis,” the Malda DM, Mr. Sridhar Ghosh said.

Mr BN Das, executive engineer of Mahananda embankment division said, “I am helpless and have nothing to say." Mr. Das said: “I was harangued by the villagers when I went to visit the spot yesterday. Locals were demanding changes in prevalent methods of erosion prevention. I have informed my higher authorities about the issue. Erosion continues to take place stretching for 500 metres at Bhaluka Bazaar in Harishchandrapur.”

Erosion hits tea plantation

The National Union of Plantation Workers’ leadership along with the New Dooars Tea Estate workers today gheraoed the BDO Dhupguri over the soil erosion problem inside the plantation.

According to NUPW leader, Mr Pradip Mallick, the workers residing in some portions of the estate are spending sleepless nights following major soil erosion in the plantation for the past one-year.

“A small river flowing alongside the workers’ quarters is gobbling up land at an alarming rate since last year. The river has inched to within five meters from the quarters and could cause havoc for the 600 worker families living in the area any day. Yet, the plantation management and the district administration is doing nothing to prevent it,” Mr Mallick said.

According to him, the workers had drawn the administration's notice to the matter several times following which the Dhupguri BDO visited the spot several times and assured to take up restoration work in the area but nothing has been done till date.

He further alleged that the Dhupguri BDO was yet to introduce the ‘Asha’ project, initiated by the state health department for the benefit of pregnant women in the panchayat areas, at Chamurchi GP. “The project has been implemented in 15 gram panchayat areas of Dhupguri block excluding Chamurchi,” Mr Mallick alleged.

The SDO Jalpaiguri Mr Santanu Mukharjee said that they have received several complaints regarding the activities of the Chamurchi Gram Panchayat.

“The DM Jalpaiguri, has decided to hold an all- party meeting after 20 August to discuss the issues and the activities of the Chamurchi GP,” he informed.