Organizations demand action against North Lakhimpur Division of WRD officers

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: In the wake of the breach of the Subansiri right embankment at Chandrapur (35 km) under Telahi Development Block on Monday due to devastating erosion, the local public and various organizations of Lakhimpur expressed vehement resentment against North Lakhimpur Division of Water Resources Department (WRD) and criticized the State Government for taking no effective, scientific measures in time to control the issue.

The North Lakhimpur Division of the WRD woke up from slumber to protect the embankment when it became critically deplorable due to perpetual erosion of the river. The Division initiated moves to safeguard the embankment only four weeks ago and implemented a temporary measures for the same. In the course of time, the river eroded away the old embankment around three weeks ago. Then the Water Resources Department constructed a new earthen structure as substitute for the collapsed portion of the old embankment, shifting it from the former place. During the implementation of the project, on September 28, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika inspected the erosion affected areas of the embankment. On that day, arriving at the spot, the Minister declared that the Water Resources Department would adopt all measures to protect the embankment.

The North Lakhimpur Division of the WRD did not adopt any effective measures to control the issue in the last lean season though the local public as well as various organizations, like AJYCP, AAYA, AJYP demanded the same. At present, these organizations have come down heavily against the Water Resources Department and the Government of Assam alleging their failure with regard to protecting the embankment. In a press release, AAUA central committee general secretary Jiban Rajkhowa said that the embankment breached only because of the dereliction on the part of the Executive Engineer of the North Lakhimpur Division WRD, and inefficiency of the Assistant Engineer . The Lakhimpur district unit of the AAUA submitted a memorandum to the WRD Minister on September 28.

AJYCP central committee assistant general secretary Saurabh Das alleged that the temporary erosion prevention measures implemented earlier had not been effective enough only because of the contractor who allegedly never visited the site. He slammed the WRD for engaging contractor, who has political patronage, to implement the erosion control measures.

Also Read:  Devastating erosion by Subansiri breaches right embankment at Chandrapur

Also watch: