As the rainy season sets in early we are all of sudden reminded of the need for having well maintained river banks. It is time vulnerable areas are inspected and steps taken to strengthen the river banks. That will avert colossal loss that may be caused by the inundation of low lying areas. The past experience had taught us river bank depression happened at the areas, which were kept neglected by the concerned authority. That must not happen now. All river banks should receive required vigil. Standing crops, newly constructed houses were swept away by the force of the water that flushed out through the depressed portion of the river banks. Such scene is really horrible. That must not happen. Amazingly in some areas the river banks had been made slim by the encroachers. It seems river side dwellers do not want a properly maintained road passing near their houses. Because they make river side roads narrow even after it had been widened by paying compensation to the river side dwellers. In some areas the dwellers immediately grab the land by erecting walls at the widened portion. What they do not know is in case of calamities be it natural or unnatural they will land in precarious condition unable to receive help from those who are ready to extend help to them. When the river bank was depressed trucks with earth could not reach the depressed portion as the road was too narrow. These river side dwellers cannot feel the harm they are doing to the bank when they plant vegetables into the river channel. The places where vegetables or plants have grown are always vulnerable to depression. Because the water that has been absorbed will reduce the raised bank into the form of mud and the mud cannot withstand the force of the water when the river is in spate. The state Government decision to construct retaining walls all along the river channel will go a long way in fighting against the menace of flood. But such retaining wall construction is not taken up in the areas where river bank depression is likely to happen. Iril River, Imphal River assume dangerous proportion when the water is in full. The river banks look tiny set against the volume of water in the channel of such major rivers. The Union Government will release fund for construction of retaining walls if properly framed project report is sent up for consideration. Unfortunately what happens in our state is the fund released by the union Government is not properly utilised. A massive retaining wall construction programme was taken up in Manipur. Contractors had done their duty. But the payment is held up. Consequently utilisation certificate cannot be sent to the concerned authority. Unless the certificate is sent no fresh fund will come. That will hamper strengthening of river banks.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/river-banks-need-to-be-strengthened/
