Directive to manage excavation works in Narayani river

Nawalpur (Nawalparasi), May 22: The District Monitoring Committee Nawalpur has directed the authorities concerned to manage excavation works in the Narayani River flowing through Nawalpur and Chitwan. 

Stating that extraction works were found rampant in the Narayani River during an on-site inspection, the monitoring committee directed to manage the extraction. 

Committee coordinator and chief of district coordination committee Nawalpur, Baburam Bishwokarma said that the river-based materials were found extracted from the Narayani River in a rampant manner. 

He shared that excavation in the river was carried out by digging deeper than permitted, and excavation took place in other locations than the approved ones through environmental impact assessment. 

“We had previously carried out monitoring, and when we did not see excavation being carried out according to rules, we provided various suggestions to ensure compliance,” said Chief Bishwokarma, “But even after a week, no satisfactory improvement was observed.” 

Even though only four excavators were supposed to be used in the river, more than the stipulated number was found to have been used there for excavation. 

He also highlighted that accurate records of river materials transported and the invoice should be maintained properly. 

He mentioned that since excavation was being carried out involving up to nine excavators and over 200 trippers per day, more river materials than required were being extracted, necessitating immediate measurement and verifications. 

Likewise, Chief District Officer Bhabhishwor Pandey instructed the materials should be transported in a way that water does not spill from tipper, and the tipper should be covered with tent during transportation. 

“Managing the transportation is the responsibility of the municipality. However, we will make security arrangements if needed,” he said, adding, “It is possible to monitor the transportation of riverine materials through a CCTV camera.” 

CDO Pandey stated that they were not aware that excavation was being carried out by constructing a dam in the Narayani River and changing the course of the river. 

Regarding transportation being carried out by constructing roads with huge pipes in the Narayani bed, he said that access routes are necessary to transport riverine materials from the excavation site to the main road, so it should not be opposed. “Once the excavation is completed, we will get that dam dismantled.” Pandey noted. (RSS)