Sonowal expresses dissatisfaction over poor quality of anti-erosion works in Majuli
By STAFF CORRESPONDENTJORHAT, May 12 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed dissatisfaction over the quality of work carried out by the private firm � TK Engineering� under the supervision of the Brahmaputra Board in Majuli island in the ongoing project to tackle large-scale unabated erosion by the Brahmaputra.
A Majuli district administration source stated that Sonowal, who arrived in the river island this afternoon via Jorhat, immediately accompanied by the Majuli Deputy Commissioner Debaprasad Misra, and senior officials of the Brahmaputra Board, visited Bhakat Sapori, where allegations of irregularities in executing the erosion protection project by the private firm have surfaced leading to severe protests by the local people.
It may be mentioned here that on May 6 tension erupted at Bhakat Sapori as villagers protested strongly against alleged poor quality of work and detection of �irregularities� in the ongoing works as a result of which the river reportedly washed away newly-installed geo-bags, many of which were alleged to be empty.
Peeved villagers allegedly rebuked few officials, believed to be from the Brahmaputra Board and from the firm, who had reportedly gone to inspect the site.
Sonowal, after inspecting the site, about three kms from Kamalabari, the commercial hub of the island, told media persons that he was disappointed to see the �poor quality� of work done in the area.
�It is quite clear that the quality of work in this area ( Bhakat Sapori) is inferior, which has led to failure in accomplishing the task,� Sonowal said.
Stating that the Government has taken a serious note of the complaints about the irregularities detected in the execution of repair and restoration works of the embankment at Bhakat Sapori, the Chief Minister said that immediately after coming to know about the matter he directed the Brahmaputra Board Chairman Rajiv Yadav to visit Majuli and take note of the complaints brought up by the villagers.
He said that he has directed Yadav to see that quality of ongoing protection works was not compromised and stern action be initiated against any official/ engineer of the Board, if found guilty, in any malafide activity related to the project.
Sonowal further said that he has directed the Brahmaputra Board authorities to restart work at Bhakat Sapori after two or three days once the water level comes down.
He informed that he has asked the Board to ensure completion of the works that failed midway by the firm within two weeks and warned of action by the Government if same was not accomplished.
�My Government and I as a legislator of Majuli am duty-bound to provide safeguard and protection to the people of the island,� Sonowal observed.
Majuli Deputy Commissioner Debaprasad Misra told The Assam Tribune tonight that later in the evening the Chief Minister, in a meeting chaired by him with Brahmaputra Board, State Water Resources Department and district administration officials at the Circuit House, reviewed the ongoing anti-erosion works in Majuli.
Misra said the Chief Minister directed the senior officials of the Brahmaputra Board based in the island not to leave station till restoration and repair work was completed at Bhakat Sapori.
Sonowal also directed the Board authorities to ask the firm � TK Engineering � to lodge an FIR at the concerned police station about the irregularities detected in the works at Bhakat Sapori seeking a thorough investigation.
It may be mentioned here that Brahmaputra Board Chairman Rajiv Yadav on May 9 had rushed to Majuli from New Delhi and inspected the site and listened to the allegations levelled by the local people.
On Friday, Yadav held talks with representatives of several organisations and assured them to order an independent high-level inquiry into the charges by a Central Water Commissioner.
Sonowal, irked over the slow progress of work related to protection of Majuli island from massive erosion by the Brahmaputra, in March this year gave an ultimatum to TK Engineering to complete the project within May this year on a war-footing or face legal action.
JORHAT, May 12 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed dissatisfaction over the quality of work carried out by the private firm � TK Engineering� under the supervision of the Brahmaputra Board in Majuli island in the ongoing project to tackle large-scale unabated erosion by the Brahmaputra.
A Majuli district administration source stated that Sonowal, who arrived in the river island this afternoon via Jorhat, immediately accompanied by the Majuli Deputy Commissioner Debaprasad Misra, and senior officials of the Brahmaputra Board, visited Bhakat Sapori, where allegations of irregularities in executing the erosion protection project by the private firm have surfaced leading to severe protests by the local people.
It may be mentioned here that on May 6 tension erupted at Bhakat Sapori as villagers protested strongly against alleged poor quality of work and detection of �irregularities� in the ongoing works as a result of which the river reportedly washed away newly-installed geo-bags, many of which were alleged to be empty.
Peeved villagers allegedly rebuked few officials, believed to be from the Brahmaputra Board and from the firm, who had reportedly gone to inspect the site.
Sonowal, after inspecting the site, about three kms from Kamalabari, the commercial hub of the island, told media persons that he was disappointed to see the �poor quality� of work done in the area.
�It is quite clear that the quality of work in this area ( Bhakat Sapori) is inferior, which has led to failure in accomplishing the task,� Sonowal said.
Stating that the Government has taken a serious note of the complaints about the irregularities detected in the execution of repair and restoration works of the embankment at Bhakat Sapori, the Chief Minister said that immediately after coming to know about the matter he directed the Brahmaputra Board Chairman Rajiv Yadav to visit Majuli and take note of the complaints brought up by the villagers.
He said that he has directed Yadav to see that quality of ongoing protection works was not compromised and stern action be initiated against any official/ engineer of the Board, if found guilty, in any malafide activity related to the project.
Sonowal further said that he has directed the Brahmaputra Board authorities to restart work at Bhakat Sapori after two or three days once the water level comes down.
He informed that he has asked the Board to ensure completion of the works that failed midway by the firm within two weeks and warned of action by the Government if same was not accomplished.
�My Government and I as a legislator of Majuli am duty-bound to provide safeguard and protection to the people of the island,� Sonowal observed.
Majuli Deputy Commissioner Debaprasad Misra told The Assam Tribune tonight that later in the evening the Chief Minister, in a meeting chaired by him with Brahmaputra Board, State Water Resources Department and district administration officials at the Circuit House, reviewed the ongoing anti-erosion works in Majuli.
Misra said the Chief Minister directed the senior officials of the Brahmaputra Board based in the island not to leave station till restoration and repair work was completed at Bhakat Sapori.
Sonowal also directed the Board authorities to ask the firm � TK Engineering � to lodge an FIR at the concerned police station about the irregularities detected in the works at Bhakat Sapori seeking a thorough investigation.
It may be mentioned here that Brahmaputra Board Chairman Rajiv Yadav on May 9 had rushed to Majuli from New Delhi and inspected the site and listened to the allegations levelled by the local people.
On Friday, Yadav held talks with representatives of several organisations and assured them to order an independent high-level inquiry into the charges by a Central Water Commissioner.
Sonowal, irked over the slow progress of work related to protection of Majuli island from massive erosion by the Brahmaputra, in March this year gave an ultimatum to TK Engineering to complete the project within May this year on a war-footing or face legal action.
