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| I&FC fails to complete 'Anti Erosion Work' at Ban Ganga | | Massive encroachment, pollution poses threat to its existence | | Arun Singh
Jammu, Feb 26: The indifferent attitude of the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department has been taking a heavy toll on famous Ban Ganga tributary at Katra in district Reasi which is struggling for its existence due to illegal encroachment and excessive pollution, as the department has failed to complete the Anti Erosion Work project even after a span of 5 years since the start of project.
Moreover, 90% funds against approved cost have been expended.
Sources told Early Times that the project of Anti Erosion Work at Ban Ganga was started during 2008-09 by Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department at the estimated cost of Rs 11.39 crore which was scheduled to be completed in 2 years from the commencement of the work but 100% physical progress not been achieved even after a span of 5 years of start of the project.
They further informed that 123 K-crates instead of 150 were approved along/ across the banks/ bed of the Ban Gaga but there was no visibility of any K-crates at site for these too must have got covered by sands, gravel and rocks deposited on the bed of Ban Gaga due to ferocity of water flow during monsoons.
"About 3100 mtrs of PCC wall against target of 3400 mtrs has been constructed along banks of Ban Gaga at vulnerable spots," they added. They said that six velocity cutters/ PCC walls have been constructed across the Ban Gaga in its upper section. Water bodies had to be developed by such construction works so that pilgrims could take a dip in the holy water but there were no water bodies, as silt and rocks were found deposited in place of water. Even the old bathing Ghat on Ban Gaga did not have sufficient water and hardly any pilgrim was found taking holy dip in the Ban Gaga. They further maintained that the development of water bodies in Ban Gaga is not sustainable unless there is provision of funds for clearing the deposits of sand, silt and rocks from the river bed after every monsoon. |
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