Damaged Koshi embankment will be repaired within 7 months: Gacchadar
Minister for Physical Planning & Works Bijay Kumar Gachhadar. (File photo)
Minister for Physical Planning & Works Bijay Kumar Gachhadar said Friday
that the spurs damaged by Saptakoshi floods will be restored before the
end of the Nepali Calendar - meaning another 7 months - and that repair
works are a top priority.
"The repair work on the Koshi embankment has already started," he said
speaking at the Reporters Club.
Saying that the government will be leave no stone unturned to bring
normalcy to the flood-hit areas of Sunsari and Saptari districts,
Gachhadar said informing that the government has earmarked Rs 65 crore for
repairing and reconstructing the embankment and Rs 76 crore for building
the section of road damaged and now lying inundated by the Saptakoshi
river water, because of which vehicles from eastern towns are compelled to
use alternative route via India.
The minister also said obstruction in vehicular traffic has virtually
knocked off the connection between the center and eastern Nepal, adding
that bailey bridges would be placed at the inundated portion of the
highway to make it operational immediately.
He further said the matter would be raised with priority during the Prime
Minister's India visit and that he will be a part of it, hinting that it
is also India's responsibility to help in Nepal's reconstruction efforts.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's visit to India has been fixed for
September 14.
Meanwhile, two more persons displaced by Saptakoshi flooding, who were
taking shelter at camps in Sunsari district, died on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Mukesh Kamat of Haripur-8 and Sita
Devi Vindawal. The two died while undergoing treatment at the hospital for
diarrhea.
With this the death toll by Saptakoshi floods has reached 11. Most of
them died after contracting various diseases like gastroenteritis,
pneumonia and fever, among others.
Health workers have warned that thousands of the displaced living in water
clogged settlements and camps for displaced face the risk of contracting
major diseases if something is not done fast. nepalnews.com ag Sep 05 08
