(a) whether the Government is aware about the cracks that have been appearing on the ground in various parts of North India;
(b) if so, the details thereof ;
(c) whether Geologists and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has conducted any study in this regard;
(d) if so, whether they have submitted their report to the Government;
(e) if so, the details of the report;
(f) whether any special advisory has been issued for such areas by the Geologists/GSI; and
(g) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
(SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE )
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has received
reports about cracks that have been appearing on the ground in various parts of
North India. Ground fissures were reported from parts of the Gangetic plain in
Chhibramau, Nawabganj, Kamlaganj and Kannauj of Farrukhabad district, Uttar
Pradesh during June-July 1995. Ground cracks were also reported from Baripal
village of Kanpur Dehat, Malkhanpur village of Allahabad and Anegpur and Sonepur
villages of Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi) during June-July 2006. Ground cracks
were reported during June-July, 2008 in parts of Uttar Pradesh in Hamirpur, Banda,
Jalaun, Allahabad, Etawah and Raebareli and in Lucknow.
(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. In 2008, a team from GSI visited Hamirpur, Mahoba,
Etawah and Jalaun districts and have gathered information about ground cracks and
fissures at Kupra, Puraini, Parcha, Riwan, Khandeh, Sikrodhi, Surajpur and Chaura
Devi Temple villages in Hamirpur district; Khanna village in Mahoba district; Garhi
Mangat, Sindaus, Hanumantpura and Basaiyahar villages in Etawah district and Rampura
and Kalpi villages in district Jalaun. GSI has submitted interim reports on studies
carried out in parts of Hamirpur, Banda, Allahabad, Etawah, Raibaireli and Lucknow
districts of Uttar Pradesh. The information along with relevant photographs is
available on GSI’s Portal ( www.portal.gsi.gov.in ).
(e),(f) & (g): Yes, Sir. The ground fissures vary from a few meters to a
kilometer in length, 0.30m to 2.0m in depth and 0.15m to 1.5m in width. The cracks
have widened because of subsequent collapse of the edges of the walls leading to
increase in their aperture. The cracks are generally curvilinear and discontinuous
in nature and have reticulate pattern at places. They are developed in the topsoil
comprising silty clay and clay. A few thin kanker horizons are also present in
major clay horizons, particularly in ravinous areas. The areas where the cracks
are developed are generally flat ground except in a few locations where the area
is slightly undulating like Kupra in Hamirpur district, Garhi Mangat, Sindaus
and Hanumantpura in Etawah district and Rampura in Jalaun District. All cracks
are either in the vicinity of some stream or some water body like ponds. The areas
had been experiencing deficient rainfall for the last 4 to 5 years and there had
been excessive withdrawal of ground water through tube wells and motor operated
wells for domestic and irrigation purposes. All the cracks were developed and
noticed after the first heavy rains in the area of the season. The probable
mechanism for the development of the ground fissures may be attributed to excessive
drying of the soil mass due to drought conditions for the last 4 to 5 years in the
area, excessive withdrawal of ground water, sudden over saturation of soil mass
due to heavy precipitation in a short duration and loss of subsurface fines
through piping.
Drought conditions for the last 4 to 5 years and extensive withdrawal of
ground water in Bundelkhand and adjoining regions of Uttar Pradesh has resulted in
excessive drying of soil which led to tensile failure brought about by shrinkage.
The tension failure occurred near the surface and gave rise to more or less vertical
cracking. The ingress of water during heavy precipitation increased the pore
pressure in the clay, which in turn resulted in overall reduction of strength of
clay and attributed to the development of ground fissures. No neotectonic activity
has been noted in the area.
As a mitigation measure, it has been suggested that recharge of the
groundwater should be taken up on priority basis by formulating a comprehensive
plan for ground water harvesting and water management in the region. Special
advisories have also been issued for such areas by GSI to the district authorities
with the suggestion to keep a check / strict vigil and monitor the cracks and
inform the GSI and other authorities immediately.