Pankaj Kumar, Jehanabad. The red sand of the Falgu river of the district was once like gold and the sand of Falgu river was in demand not only in the state but also in foreign countries including Nepal. Today the Falgu river has become deserted. The black game of red sand is also over. Instead of sand, huge jungle-like grasses have grown in the river. Sand is not visible anywhere. This is the reason that after the instructions of the High Court, the Mining Department floated the tender six times for arranging sand from the Falgu River, but not even once did any contractor submit a tender to participate in the tender. As a result, the arrangement of sand ghat in Falgu river has not been done yet.
The settlement of sand from Falgu river used to be worth crores.
It should be noted that till four years ago, the sand of Falgu river used to be settled in crores, there used to be an atmosphere of hustle and bustle in Falgu river throughout the day. Even at night the sand ghat was buzzing. The families of thousands of laborers were dependent on the earnings of the river. Hundreds of trucks were parked on the river banks, the whirring sound of JCB machines could also be heard till late night. Ever since the National Green Tribunal banned the lifting of sand from the Falgu River, the river has become deserted.
There was demand for sand of Falgu river even outside Bihar.
The sand of Falgu river of the district was in demand not only in Bihar but also in Uttar Pradesh as well as Nepal. From here, sand used to go to Patna, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Samastipur, Katihar, Darbhanga, Gorakhpur, Deoria as well as Nepal. At that time, hundreds of trucks used to enter the Falgu river every day.
The river bank used to be buzzing
Till 4 years ago the banks of river Falgu used to be bustling with activity. Around the places where the sand ghat was built, hotels and kiosks were run by the local people. Local youth also bought tractors and joined the sand business, earning thousands of rupees every month. Because of which there was a syndicate of youth. The atmosphere around the river bank was quite pleasant.
Tender for sand ghats has been floated six times
Following the instructions of the High Court, the Mining Department has floated tenders six times for the disposal of sand in the Falgu River, but due to lack of sand in the Falgu River, no contractor participated in the tender process. Let it be known that the Mining Department has formed 16 groups for the settlement of sand ghat in the Falgu river, but sand is not visible anywhere in the Falgu river due to which no surveyor mustered the courage to participate in the settlement of sand ghat. Are getting.
Illegal excavation is happening secretly
Due to lack of provision of sand ghat in Falgu river, the issue of illegal excavation is not decreasing. Even today, illegal excavation of sand is being done at identified places in Falgu river by sand mafia. However, the Mining Department has been continuously campaigning against it and legal action has also been taken.
Committee has been formed
On the instructions of District Magistrate Richie Pandey, a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of SDO regarding the issue of lack of sand in Falgu River. The committee will study the sand in Falgu river. The report will be submitted by the committee to the district officer. After this, the process of arranging sand ghat in Falgu river will be started afresh.
What do officials say
Due to lack of sand in Falgu river, despite tender being floated 6 times, no contractor participated in the tender process. Now a fresh study is being done under the chairmanship of SDO regarding sand in Falgu river. After this it will be decided how much sand will be arranged. After that the tender process will be started.
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Navendu Kumar, District Mining Officer, Jehanabad