Haldwani: The flood protection embankments and check dams worth crores of rupees built on the banks of the Gaula river to save the land of farmers in Lalkuan assembly constituency could not withstand even the first rain. Due to the damage of the embankments and check dams built before the rains, the local people have raised questions on their quality. The local people have complained about this to the district administration, after which the district administration has ordered an inquiry into the entire matter. At the same time, the villagers have warned of a fierce agitation if a high-level investigation is not done in the matter.
The local people also demonstrated in Lalkuan tehsil regarding the quality of the embankment, after which the investigation of the entire matter was started. Local people say that every year the Gaula river overflows during the rainy season, due to which the villagers living on the banks of the river have to suffer losses due to soil erosion. In the past too, the land and houses of many people have been submerged in the river. But till now no permanent solution has been found by the government and the administration. Local people allege that the embankments and check dams built for flood protection are not able to withstand even light rain, which is raising questions on quality. Local public representatives have raised questions on quality and demanded a high-level investigation into the entire matter. Villagers have said that if a high-level investigation is not done in the matter, then a fierce agitation will be carried out. In the matter, Deputy District Magistrate Haldwani Rahul Shah said that a complaint has been received by the District Magistrate Nainital. The entire matter will be investigated, for this a joint committee is being formed along with the Forest Department, Irrigation. The committee will submit the report to the District Magistrate after the investigation, after which further action will be taken. It is worth noting that the Gaula river affects many rural areas of Lalkuan during the rainy season. Rural areas suffer heavy damage from the river every year during the rainy season. Embankments and check dams have been built in the river for many decades, but questions have always been raised on the quality. The government spends crores of rupees every year in the name of embankments and check dams, but the embankments are washed away in the flow of the river in light rain. Let us tell you that every year during the monsoon season, the Gaula river overflows. Due to which soil erosion occurs in the coastal areas of Haldwani-Lalkuan.
