IEP Chandigarh, August 9
The Haryana Government has taken action against 4 officers of the Irrigation Department for dereliction of duty during the floods caused by excessive water level in Yamuna river passing through Haryana region. Action has been taken against these officers after the report of an enquiry committee. This committee was formed to investigate the matter of non-opening of 4 gates of ITO Yamuna barrage during floods. The state government has suspended Sandeep Taneja, Chief Engineer of the irrigation department.It was further informed that orders have been issued to charge sheet SE, Tarun Aggarwal and XEN, Manoj Kumar of the department. Along with this, SDO Mukesh Verma, posted at Yamuna Barrage, has been charge sheet under Rule Seven.Due to heavy rains, a significant surge in Yamuna level was witnessed and due to non-opening of 4 gates of the barrage near ITO in Delhi, excess water could not be cleared in time causing massive waterlogging and floods. Taking cognizance of this matter, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal had formed a three-member committee to investigate the entire matter. Irrigation Department’s Engineer-in-Chief, Dr. Satbir Kadian and Chief Engineer, Sh. Suresh Kumar Yadav were included as members in this committee headed by Engineer-in-Chief, Sh. Rakesh Chauhan.In the furnished report, the committee observed that these gates were submerged in flood water about 12 feet deep. Apart from it, they were also filled with silt. These gates can be open only when both upstream and downstream silt around these gates is removed through special techniques. It has been stated in the report that no power connection was available to carry out the process. Floods in Delhi mainly occurred due to excessive encroachment, due to which the water reached up to the Ring Road. Excessive and unplanned construction around the river is obstructing the flow of Yamuna.According to the report, during the dry season the flow of the river stops completely. The release of polluted water into the river through various drains leads to the accumulation of silt and rise in the river bed levels. In such a situation, Delhi Government should remove the heavy silt in front of gate number 28 to 32 so that flood water can flow through these gates. The Yamuna’s natural flood outlets have been systematically encroached upon for decades. The highest discharge has been recorded at Wazirabad Barrage 1137020 CS in Delhi. Which does not match the release done in HKB or Okhla. UYRB should be asked to re-calibrate all gauges at Wazirabad, Yamuna Barrage ITO and Okhla Barrage so that correct gauges are reported in future. Monsoon season usually starts from July, well before CE YWS(S) headquartered in Delhi requires close liaison with Irrigation and Flood Control Department Delhi and UP Irrigation Department to maintain monitoring to avoid any such situation.
