Rainwater damages erosion protection scheme in Dhakuakhana

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The local public have become vocal against Dhakuakhana Development Block of Lakhimpur district alleging low quality implementation of an erosion protection scheme adopted by Pachim Dhakuakhana Gaon Panchayat. The scheme has been implemented at Erasuti with fund amounting to Rs. 50,000 in order to protect the Signature Project being constructed at Sorola Pothar under Dulia Gaon under the subdivision from the massive erosion caused by River Charikoriya.

Notably, a football stadium, a conference hall with up-to-date facilities, a training centre for Panchayat and Rural Development (P&RD) Department, a trade centre for SHG products, a swimming pool and many other infrastructures are under construction at present at Sorola Pothar under the Signature Project. This erosion protection scheme was adopted in order to protect these infrastructures being constructed under the project.

According to the allegations of the local public, the bolder pitching work of the erosion protection scheme being implemented is of very low quality, which has been done without following the due techniques. The boulders to protect erosion were installed without conducting the standard cement work on the ground. Moreover, the pitch on the ground at the steep of the river was not made scientifically so that the pitch could hold the boulders firmly. As a result of it, only the surge of rain water with low force managed to erode away the boulders, the layers of which were not fixed with cement work over the ground.

The local public further alleged that neither the Block Development Officer (BDO) nor the departmental junior engineers inspected the site in the past days in order to take stock of the standard and progress of the works implemented.

However, after receiving the information about the presence of media persons at the site on Thursday, the BDO of the Dhakuakhana Development Block, accompanied by the junior engineer concerned, arrived at the spot to inspect the scheme.

Notably, a number of schemes under P&RD Department are under implementation at various places of Dhakuakhana. Allegations are rampant against the BDOs and junior engineers that they do not inspect the schemes on time. It is alleged that they are carrying out their responsibilities over the schemes just depending upon the reports provided by the Gram Rozgar Sahayaks (GRSs).

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