TURA, June 23: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagadish Chelani on Friday said the ongoing clean-up of garbage from the Ganol Hydel project site at Chibragre would be completed within three to four days given that the operation is not affected by heavy rains in the days to come.
Following the first heavy rains of the season, garbage dumped in the Rongram stream at Rongram market was carried downstream, which then accumulated at the dam site where it joins the Ganol river.
It was following this, all-out clean-up efforts have been ongoing since Thursday by teams belonging to various departments, SDRF and local volunteers.
“During the clean-up we have ensured that we take all the precautionary measures. Teams have been given raincoats and gloves, while fibre boats have been prepared and utilised for pulling the garbage together,” Chelani said on Friday while overseeing the clean-up operation.
With regard to concerns raised by people on quality of water downstream, which is being supplied to the town by the PHE, Chelani said, “Some concerns have been raised for the utilisation of this water downstream. I would like to assure that thrash accumulated at the dam site cannot flow downstream. Any water that goes downstream does not contain garbage. Moreover, when the water reaches the PHE system, it is filtered and treated as well before it is supplied to the town.”
Stating that this has happened for the first time due to the onset of the first rains of the season, Chelani assured that the district administration would be able to come up with a mechanism in the next few days so that such incidents do not happen again.
Meanwhile, the DC also informed that action has been taken against the Rongram Bazaar Committee for allowing slipshod dumping of garbage.
“We have imposed a fine on the Rongram Bazar Committee so that they, as well as all other parties, ensure that such random dumping of garbage does not take place at all water bodies. Maintenance of rivers and water bodies is an important duty for all and any such incident can lead to a criminal negligence charge against them,” he said.
