Completion of anti-soil erosion works targeted prior to start of flood season

March 17, 2023

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By Avijit Biswas

Bhagalpur: In order to tackle problem of soil erosion in this district the Water Resources Department (WRD) of state government has decided to take adequate measures prior to start of flood season this year. Completion of planned as well as already initiated anti erosion works in different areas of the district is targeted before May 15 this year by WRD.

Soil erosion caused by river Ganga and Kosi is a major problem of this district. Because of soil erosion people in sizeable number of villages have been either displaced or facing threat of displacement.

Replying to a question raised on problem of soil erosion in state assembly the WRD minister Sanjay Kumar Jha said on Tuesday this week that anti –soil erosion works are being undertaken on priority. In this context he said for protecting Farka village in Sabour block from erosion caused by river Ganga, anti-erosion works would be undertaken at two places before flood season this year.

Though in flood season last year problem of erosion was witnessed in English and Farka villages however the problem could be controlled in time due to measures taken by the department, Jha informed. In his reply the WRD minister informed about measures planned to address problem of soil erosion in Naugachia subdivision of this district.

Anti erosion works would be undertaken between spurs of Ismailpur-Bindtoli embankment besides strengthening of Kajikoria-Raghopur marginal embankment has been planned before start of flood season, he informed. The minister added process is underway for preparing work plan aimed at prevention of soil erosion in Gyanidas Tola and Jhalludas Tola of Rangra block in Naugachia subdivision.

Replying to yet another question related to soil erosion Jha said to prevent soil erosion caused by Ganga in stretch between Bhagalpur College of Engineering (BCE) and Athgama, work is being undertaken in 135 meter long stretch near BCE besides in 740 meter and 500 meter long stretches respectively in English and Farka villages. The WRD aims at accomplishing the works before May 15 this year he added.

The minister also informed about various other steps being taken by government to deal with problem of soil erosion in course of replying the questions.

With both Ganga and Kosi flowing through this district quite a vast area located in riverine belt is exposed to problem of erosion. People residing in areas facing threat of erosion in number of cases feel the measures taken previously for preventing soil erosion have not proved to be much effective. Frequently changing course of the rivers has aggravated the problem, they feel.