Friday 22nd October,2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The Kumaon commissioner Sushil Kumar has directed the departments concerned to analyse the damage caused to crops due to the recent incessant rains in order to provide adequate compensation to the affected farmers. He has also asked the departments concerned to provide reports on the damage to all roads, electricity and water connection so that funds can be issued for reconstruction works in the affected areas. Kumar issued these orders in a meeting of the divisional officers held at Circuit House in Kathgodam on Thursday to review and discuss the restoration works in the affected areas of Kumaon by the recent calamity. He instructed the officials concerned to start restoration works and make alternate arrangements to avoid inconvenience to the public. The officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) informed the commissioner that due to the heavy damage and accumulated debris on the road before the Bhowali-Garampani highway, it will take a few more days to open the said highway. The officials said that they have started the construction work of the portion of Khairna-Almora National Highway that recently collapsed which will cost about Rs 20 crore. The authority will open one lane on the route by October 30 for public convenience. The commissioner said that these are the major routes and must be restored on a primary basis as soon as possible. The Public Works Department (PWD) also demanded the commissioner to release an amount of Rs 20 lakh each for the restoration of the damaged roads in all the sections of the department. The officials of the irrigation department said that as per the preliminary assessment of the damaged canals, the department will require 267 lakh in Almora, 221 lakh in Champawat, 115 lakh in Bageshwar and seven crore in Pithoragarh to carry out the restoration works. The officials also informed that Udham Singh Nagar alone has experienced the damage of canals worth Rs 9.8 crore. Kumar has directed all the departments to present the assessment reports of the damage to water bodies in the division. He also directed all the officers of the division to be in touch with the district magistrates of their areas. He also directed the respective district magistrates to allocate funds for the restoration works at their level.
