Erosion caused by River Ganga renders hundreds homeless in Jharkhand

Sahibganj (Jharkhand), Sep 19(ANI): Hundreds of families have been rendered homeless as the River Ganga is fast eroding agricultural lands and habitations in Jharkhand's Sahibganj district.

Scores of families have lost all their agricultural lands and their huts, following which they have sought shelter on the roadside.

"We are living on the roads now. Our children are unable to go to their schools; most of the roads are destroyed. Now we have just one thing to say that whatever has been destroyed is gone, but special arrangements should be made to restore the remaining land, so that our people can live here without any fear," said Biren Biswas, a victim.

The affected people are also complaining about government apathy, urged government to do something to save the remaining patches, so that they could till on whatever is left for their livelihood.

On their part, the concerned authorities have contended that they have been working on construction of embankments and the displaced have been taken care of.

"The displaced can now make permanent houses near the banks of the river. The work that we have been doing for the displaced is successful. It was done in various villages, in the year 2004-2005. We had worked on a permanent solution and it is now functional," said Rajendra Prasad, Assistant Engineer of Rajmahal Water Resources Department. (ANI)