Villages in Farrukhabad Face Erosion Threat Due to Substandard Work; Allegations of Collusion Between Contractor and Officials Surface

Erosion Threat Looms Over Farrukhabad Villages Due to Substandard Work

In Farrukhabad district's Sadar tehsil, villages including Pankhiyon ki Madhaiya, Dilip ki Madhaiya, and Katri Bhimpur are under threat from the Ganga River's erosion. An investigation has revealed significant irregularities in the work being carried out by the Irrigation Department, costing over ₹7 crore, intended to protect these villages.

Villagers have leveled serious accusations of collusion between the contractor and departmental officials, alleging the use of extremely poor quality materials and misappropriation of government funds. This has put the villages at risk of erosion, leaving residents in fear. According to the villagers, even a slight increase in the Ganga's current washed away the superficially completed work, bringing their homes perilously close to erosion.

When villagers urged the contractor to perform the work properly, they were allegedly threatened with legal action and imprisonment for obstructing government work, forcing them into silence. This fear allowed the contractor and officials to act with impunity, allegedly pocketing a significant portion of the project's funds.

Work Quality Questioned, Safety Claims Exposed

The government project aimed to secure villages like Pankhiyon ki Madhaiya, Dilip ki Madhaiya, and Katri Bhimpur from Ganga erosion through the installation of porcupines, geo-bags, and studs. However, villagers claim the contractor used sand-filled cement sacks instead of proper geo-bags and focused only on outward appearances.

The quality of work is alleged to be so poor that all deployed safety measures were swept away by the slightest current of the Ganga. Contractor's staff reportedly dismissed concerns, stating, "Once the water comes, our work is done. Whatever happens after that is not our problem." This negligence has escalated the erosion threat, with villagers fearing the loss of their homes.

Allegations of Cutting Sheesham Trees from Forest Department Land Surface

Adding to the gravity of the situation, villagers allege that the contractor and officials, in an attempt to conceal their shoddy work, cut down Sheesham trees from the Forest Department's cowshed land without permission. Branches from these felled trees were reportedly used in front of sacks and studs to create an illusion of preventing water flow, an effort that ultimately failed to curb the erosion.

Social Activist Demands Strict Action

Upon receiving information, Bhaiyan Mishra, District President of the Farrukhabad Vikas Manch, visited the site and listened to the grievances of the villagers. He condemned the substandard work, holding the contractor and departmental officials fully responsible for the misuse of government funds.

Mishra vowed that strict action would be ensured against all involved and announced that an agitation would commence soon. He stated that a delegation would soon meet the District Magistrate of Farrukhabad to demand an investigation and swift action against the guilty contractor and officials. He warned of indefinite protests and other agitations if timely action is not taken.

Bhaiyan Mishra also questioned the felling of Sheesham trees from the cowshed land by the Forest Department. He raised concerns about who granted permission for cutting Sheesham, which is prohibited, and demanded a thorough investigation. He urged the Forest Department to file a case against those responsible.

Villagers, including Rajiv Verma, Ramu Rajput, Ram Lakhan Verma, Pankaj Rathore, and Satyanarayan Shakya, stated they had remained silent due to the contractor's threats. They expressed that while officials remain indifferent, villagers live in fear of the Ganga River inundating their homes at any moment. This situation highlights corruption and lack of accountability in the implementation of government projects, demanding immediate attention.