10 months ago
Teesta Barrage Land Compensation and Karala River Bridge Project Face Scrutiny
Imagine a group of people, like a school principal and teachers, who are in charge of making sure big projects are done right.
They visited a town called Jalpaiguri to check on two projects.
One project is a big dam called the Teesta Barrage, which needs land.
The teachers asked why some people whose land was taken for the dam haven't gotten their money yet, and if the wrong people might have gotten paid.
The other project is a bridge over a river that's been unfinished for a very long time, even though money was given to build it.
The teachers asked why the roads to get to the bridge aren't built and where the money went.
The people in charge of the projects said they are looking into the dam's money issues and that the bridge's roads are delayed because of problems with land and needing to check if the bridge is still safe.
PAC questioned the delay in land compensation for the Teesta Barrage Project in Jalpaiguri.
PAC Chairman Suman Kanjilal alleged that compensation might have been paid to ineligible individuals.
The committee also reviewed the incomplete Karala River bridge project, started by SJDA 12 years ago.
Officials cited land disputes and ongoing structural audits as reasons for the bridge's delayed approach roads.
A 2018 report had declared the Karala River bridge unsafe for public use.
- Who
- A two-member Public Accounts Committee (PAC) team from the state Assembly, including PAC Chairman Suman Kanjilal, and officials from the state irrigation department and Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA).
- What
- The PAC questioned officials regarding delays in land compensation for the Teesta Barrage Project and the incomplete status of the Karala River bridge.
- Where
- Jalpaiguri
- When
- Wednesday
- Why
- To review the progress of state projects and address public complaints regarding land compensation and project delays.
Government Officials
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
Land Compensation for Teesta Barrage Project
Government Officials
The executive engineer of the Teesta Barrage project stated the issue of uncompensated landlosers is being looked into.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
PAC Chairman Suman Kanjilal questioned why many genuine landlosers have not received financial compensation for acquired land, alleging compensation went to others.
Karala River Bridge Project Status
Government Officials
SJDA Chairman Dilip Dugar explained that approach roads could not be built due to land disputes, with 13 families being rehoused and a fresh structural audit underway.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
PAC Chairman Suman Kanjilal questioned the delay in building approach roads for a project initiated 12 years ago, despite full funding and a structural safety report declaring the bridge unsafe in 2018.
Key facts
- Meeting Location
- Jalpaiguri
- PAC Chairman
- Suman Kanjilal (MLA of Alipurduar)
- Teesta Barrage Project Location
- Near Gajoldoba (Rajganj block of Jalpaiguri)
- Karala River Bridge Project Cost
- ₹1.04 crore
- Karala River Bridge Work Order
- 2010
- Karala River Bridge Completion Date
- 2013
- DPRs for Approach Roads
- Approx. ₹2.5 crore
- SJDA Chairman
- Dilip Dugar
Quotes
Suman Kanjilal
PAC chairman and MLA of Alipurduar
“The PAC has received complaints regarding the acquisition of large tracts of land by the irrigation department in phases for the Teesta Barrage Project near Gajoldoba (in Rajganj block of Jalpaiguri). Many genuine landlosers have not been compensated. Instead, compensation has reportedly gone to others who did not own land. The state government sanctioned funds specifically for rightful landloses. So how did this happen?”
telegraphindia.com
“The work order for the ₹1.04 crore project was issued in 2010, and the construction was completed in 2013. Why were approach roads on both sides never built, despite the government releasing full funds for the project? Where is the utilisation certificate (UC)?”
telegraphindia.com
Dilip Dugar
SJDA chairman
“Thirteen families are being provided housing under the Banglar Bari project, and the Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College is conducting a fresh structural audit. Once done, plans would be drawn up for approach roads.”
telegraphindia.com
