(a) whether a Central Team has visited the flood, excessive soil erosion and water logging affected Katihar and Khagaria districts of North Bihar recently;
(b) if so, whether the team has submitted its report to the Government;
(c) if so, the decision taken by the Government thereon; and
(d) the time by which the recommendations of the report are likely to be implemented?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI ARJUN CHARAN SETHI)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. A Central Team led by Chairman, Ganga Flood
Control Commission visited the erosion affected areas of eastern
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal (including Katihar in Bihar)
with the task of on-the-spot inspection and assessment of the
gravity of the problem of river erosion of Ganga in consultation
with the respective state government. The team submitted its
report in January, 2000 to this Ministry. The Central Team did
not visit the Khagaria district.
(c) The report of the team containing specific recommendations
has been sent to the respective states including Bihar for
implementation. The team had identified two numbers of schemes
for Katihar district viz. Erosion at Karhagola-Jarlahi (left
bank of river Ganga) at an estimated cost of Rs. 17.91 crore and
Erosion at Goagachi ( left bank of river Ganga ) at an estimated
cost of Rs. 5.25 crore. The Government of India has included
these schemes for providing central assistance under the
programme “Critical Anti erosion works in Ganga Basin State at an
estimated cost of Rs. 140.83 croreâ€. The Expenditure Finance
Committee has approved the aforesaid programme in July, 2000.
(d) Implementation of the schemes including the schedule for
their completion is within the purview of the State Government.