11 hrs ago
Ganga Erosion Threatens Malda Schools, Homes and 700 Students
The Ganga is washing away land in parts of Malda district.
Several schools and many homes are close to the river’s path.
Nine schools serving about 700 children may have to move.
One school has already shifted to a private hall.
Some children are not attending their temporary classes because their families are trying to save their homes.
Officials are searching for safer places for the schools.
About 500 families in one area may soon lose their homes.
Residents also want anti-erosion work to be done properly and without middlemen harming its quality.
Nine schools in Manikchak and Ratua 1, serving about 700 students, face imminent erosion threats.
Nearly two-thirds of Paschim Ratanpur Primary School has already been consumed by the Ganga.
One threatened school has moved to a private hall, while alternatives are being sought for eight others.
Around 500 families in Kaliachak 2 reportedly face the immediate threat of losing their homes.
Residents alleged poor-quality anti-erosion work, while officials promised emergency assessments and stricter adherence to construction standards.
- Who
- Students, families, residents, district officials, local MLAs and schools in affected parts of Malda district.
- What
- River erosion is threatening nine schools, about 700 students and hundreds of homes.
- Where
- Ratua 1, Manikchak, Kaliachak 2 and Kaliachak 3 blocks of Malda district, including Panchanandapur, Gopalpur and the Bhutni islet.
- When
- The situation was reviewed by officials and MLAs on Tuesday; officials said erosion has recently restarted after nearly two decades of respite.
- Why
- The Ganga is rapidly eroding land, while residents also alleged that poor-quality anti-erosion work is increasing risks to homes and property.
Residents’ Concerns
Officials’ Response
Anti-erosion work
Residents’ Concerns
Residents alleged that middlemen, allegedly working with some contractors, were compromising the quality of anti-erosion work.
Officials’ Response
BJP MLA Gour Chandra Mandal promised that future work would follow prescribed standards and that deviations would not be tolerated.
School attendance and relocation
Residents’ Concerns
Guardians said families were focused first on protecting their homes and lives, making students reluctant to attend classes in temporary locations.
Officials’ Response
Education officials said they were seeking safer locations for the threatened schools and had informed the state education department.
Key facts
- Schools threatened
- Nine schools: five in Manikchak and four in Ratua 1.
- Students affected
- Approximately 700 students attend the threatened schools.
- School damage
- Nearly two-thirds of Paschim Ratanpur Primary School has been consumed by the river.
- Temporary relocation
- One school has shifted to a private hall; alternative locations are being sought for eight more.
- Families at risk
- Nearly 500 families in Kaliachak 2 face an immediate threat of losing their homes.
- Earlier erosion
- Severe erosion began in the area in 1998 and continued for nearly seven years, according to an additional district magistrate.
- Administrative response
- Block administrations were asked to prepare emergency reports for discussion with the irrigation department.
Quotes
Saptarshi Nag
Additional district magistrate in charge of education
“Those nine schools have a combined student strength of around 700. One school has already been shifted to a private hall, and we are looking for alternative arrangements for the remaining eight. The district administration has already informed the state education department about the crisis.”
telegraphindia.com
“We have asked the block administrations to prepare reports on an emergency basis. Based on those reports, the district administration will discuss the issue with the irrigation department.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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