Silchar: Weeks before the onset of monsoon, the collapse of a major portion of the Ganigram-Katigorah dyke in Cachar district has triggered panic among residents and sparked allegations of large-scale corruption in the embankment project.The embankment, built at an estimated cost of Rs 17.62 crore under the Cachar investigation division of the water resources department, suffered extensive erosion in the Govindpur area, where nearly 90% of a 50-metre stretch in Govindpur Part-II had reportedly been washed away by Wednesday.Residents alleged that poor-quality construction and irregularities in the project were responsible for the damage. According to locals, the reconstruction contract was awarded on Feb 4, 2023, to M/s Dasania & Company Private Limited.Villagers claimed they had repeatedly warned the authorities about alleged irregularities during the construction phase, but their complaints went unheard. Officials had reportedly attempted temporary soil filling at the damaged portion a week ago, but the repairs failed after fresh rainfall triggered further erosion.The incident has heightened fears of flooding in nearby villages ahead of the rainy season. “We have lost sleep over the condition of the dyke. If it collapses completely during floods, our homes and property will be destroyed,” said resident Nikhil Paul.Another resident, Sayanul Islam Laskar, alleged that cracks had developed on the embankment nearly three months ago, but no preventive measures were taken despite repeated appeals to the department.With confidence in the administration eroding, villagers have started taking protective measures on their own. Residents were seen placing bamboo barricades in the river in an attempt to divert the water current and prevent further collapse of the embankment.Demanding a high-level inquiry into the alleged corruption in the multi-crore project, locals said a fair investigation would expose major irregularities in the construction process. They have also appealed to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene urgently to avert a possible flood disaster in the region.
