Trinath & Sarthak Kanjilall
Billyground, Oct 16: Prompt action by the North and Middle Andaman authorities on an issue of land-sliding at Billyground, opposite to the fish market, saved 10 shops from falling victim to land-sliding.
In the month of August 2020, due to heavy rain, a massive land-sliding was reported, behind these 10 shops and soon it was realized by people that these 10 shops are now under real threat.
This being the case, all the shop owners approached the District Administration and had requested to immediately construct a retaining wall, following which the District Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman, Dr. Angel Bhati Chauhan immediately instructed the Assistant Commissioner, Headquarter, Mayabunder, Mr. Mohan Kumar, to take a stock of the situation.
Thereby, to stop the land-sliding, Mr. Kumar, formulated a plan, and by taking the help of the MGNREGA workers constructed the retaining wall without the use of any cemented material.
Andaman Sheekha has learned that with the help of Wooden Logs and by filling-up stone-chips in bags the retaining wall was constructed. An excavator was also used for the project. The work was carried out with so determination that the problems have been permanently fixed.
Andaman Sheekha has learned that the total cost of the project is around Rs. 5-6 lakhs. However, the excavator cost was borne by the shop owners, which were around Rs. 80 thousand. Mr. Kumar, today visited the site to inspect the completed retaining wall.
With the success of this project, he told Andaman Sheekha that in future he will use MGNREGA for the other similar projects too in the region, as according to him, it generates more employment, and is cost effective.
