Mising students demand probe into Rs 7.50 crore incomplete anti-erosion scheme in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: An aspiring scheme meant for the protection of massive erosion caused by the Subansiri River got eroded away. This was alleged to have happened only because of the lack of goodwill on the part of the Lakhimpur Water Resource Division and dereliction of the engaged contractors towards implementing the scheme on time.

The largest tributary of the Brahmaputra has created massive erosion havoc in an extensive area of its downstream for years. The burning problem has assumed a devastating proportion at Bhimpora-Hekerajan under Kadam revenue circle of the district causing alarming threat to the Bhimpora embankment of the river. The NABARD-sponsored erosion protection scheme with the investment of a fund of Rs. 7.50 crore was implemented by the department concerned in order to check the devastation of the river covering a stretch of 1,400 meter of that area. Though the scheme was approved around July, 2018, the implementation of the same began from the later days of the month of February this year.

A total of 12 contractors were engaged for the implementation of the scheme, of which 30 per cent fund was already released in the month of March. As per estimate, the scheme was to be executed by installing A-type and B-type geo-bags to check erosion. Though the geo-bags concerned were installed just before the rainy season set in, a major part of the scheme was washed away by the overflowing water of the river recently. It is alleged that the contractors had reduced their work speed after the 30 per cent fund was released and the officer responsible for the scheme had not supervised the work regularly. At present, the department and the contractors concerned have strived to save the remaining part of the scheme by managing fences of tree branches.

Regarding the failure of the aspiring scheme, Mising student organization Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) has expressed resentment over the issue after witnessing the misappropriation of public fund in the name of implementing the scheme while undertaking its boat expedition along the river recently in order to inspect the erosion-affected areas. TMPK president Raj Kumar Morang and general secretary Padma Losan Doley demanded an impartial probe into the issue and to re-initiate steps to implement the erosion preventive measures during the lean season.

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