‘Quarrying, theft a part of CIHSR’s erosion problem’

Dimapur, April 11 (MExN):  The department of Irrigation & Flood Control today said that the State has been doing its best to check the erosion of land embankments around Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR).  Notwithstanding the dangers from the water itself, the department has also said extraction of sand, gravel and boulders from the river as well as ‘pilferage’ of materials used to deter erosion are adding to the problem.
CIHSR has been in news ever since the flooding Chathe river has been eroding the banks on which the institute has been built on.
The department of Irrigation & Flood Control issued a press release today responding to a village council of the area which had recently demanded infrastructural development to curb the threat from erosion on the institute. The department has undertaken prior protection works to curb the hazard, the chief engineer’s office said in the press release. “However, due to pilferage of boulders and wire nets coupled with extraction of boulders, sand gravel along Chathe river has resulted in underscouring of the river bed, resulting in damage of the protection works earlier executed,” the department said.
Irrigation & Flood Control assured that the department will not ‘compromise’ with the quality of work.’ However, the department has reminded that the effectiveness of protection infrastructure would be compromised and adversely affected if the rampant boulder, sand and gravel extraction activities in and around the area continue unabated.
The department appeals: “The concerted effort of the district administration, DVC and civil societies are requested to restrict boulder/sand gravel extraction in and around CIHSR protection work in particular and along the stretch of Chathe River in general.”
The press release explained further that the department undertook an emergency-basis action to contain the erosion during the monsoon of 2011. The department also informed that it has formulated a detailed project report (DPR) and proposed to the North East Council (NEC) for funds during 2011-2012. “Accordingly, NEC accorded sanction and the work order is issued. The design provision consists of ban revetments and lunching apron with 20-30cm size boulder stone in wire net crates along with RCC braces and tie beams. The use of boulder in wire net crate is a time-tested proven technique for anti-erosion workers.”