Jalpaiguri: The apprehension of havoc during the upcoming monsoon, the residents of the Grasmor Tea Garden area under the Sulkapara Gram Panchayat (GP) on Monday protested in the dry bed of the Gathia River, demanded the construction of a protective dam.
Local people said that the fast flowing Hill River has already erased many houses and fields. Many families have been forced to move. This year, the river has come to the line number 4 of the tea garden, which fears that a single flood may destroy the entire village.
A resident said, “There is no water in the Gathia river anymore, but during the monsoon, it becomes fatal.” “Earlier, a flood had covered a distance of about one kilometer from Grassmore to Chhatandu, although the road was rebuilt, the river is erasing it once again.”
Villagers Phulmati Oran and Dhruv Narjinari said: “Most of our land and houses have been submerged. If a two -kilometer dam is built, the entire village can be saved.”
The residents alleged that the block administration and former MLAS had earlier promised action, but no steps were taken.
Gaurav Bhomik, SDO of Banarhat Irrigation Division, said: “A conservation wall was built downwards. We have not yet received a report about this specific area, but action will be taken after evaluation.”
