Nitish lays foundations of three major projects in Sitamarhi

Arun Lata Sharma
Sitamarhi: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on February 15, 2018, laid foundation of three major projects worth Rs 88.90 crore including Rs 19.90 crore for de- siltation, digging and dredging of river Laxmana alias Lakhandei,  a tributary of river Bagmati, restoring its old course from Nepal border to village Pitambarpur in Sitamarhi district, a stretch of 18 km.

Another scheme worth Rs 14 crore will link several channals to river Manushamara. Under the third project worth Rs 55 crore, embankments will be constructed along river Rato,  a tributary of Adhawara group of rivers, from Nepal border to village Nisha road.

” Our government is dedicated to serve people. Development is our moto. The Bihar government has taken Seven Resolutions ( Saat Nischay) for speedy progress of state. The historical river Laxmana alias Lakhandei will emerge in her old shape after restoration of its old (Dhara) course,”  said Nitish addressing a massive gathering at village Dularpur Ghat in  Khap-Khopraha Panchayat under Sonbarsa block)  in Sitamarhi district on near Indo-Nepal border on February 15.
It may be mentioned here that Sitamarhi town is located on the banks of river Laxmana alias Lakhandei. The river changed its course some twenty years back and became a tributary of Adhawara group of rivers. Every year during rainy season, the river water inundates more than hundred villages due to change in its course.
Several agitations, fast unto death programmes, relay fast and Dharnas were held in the last decade by social workers and civil society members including Shashi Shekhar, Ram Sharan Agrawal, Rama Shankar Shashtri, Prof Anand Kishore, and Shahin Praveen to save river Lakhandei and restoration of its old course.
Earlier, DM Rajiv Raushan welcomed the guests and outlined the importance of the projects in preventing flood and boosting of irrigational activities. Deputy CM Sushil  Kumar Modi, Water Resource Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh, Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar Sharma, Ram Kumar Sharma, MP, Rama Devi, MP, Sitamarhi SP  Hari Prasath S, former minister and MLC Devesh Chandra Thakur, former minister Sunil Kumar Pintu, former MP Nawal Kishore Rai, MLAs, MLCs and PP Arun Kumar Singh were prominent among those addressing the function.