Bhagirathi River erosion threatens Bardhaman village's farmlands and homes; ₹2.5 cr repair plan pending approval

Kishoriganj village in Nasratpur Panchayat under Nadan Ghat police station is experiencing renewed riverbank erosion caused by the Bhagirathi River. Since Friday, the erosion has significantly increased, resulting in the loss of agricultural land. The village lies on the opposite bank of the river from its schools, markets, and agricultural mandis, which are located in the Samudragarh area, requiring farmers to cross the river to access these facilities.

The primary occupation of the residents is agriculture, and the ongoing erosion is impacting farmland along the riverbank. A delegation recently inspected the area affected by the erosion, but no relief measures have yet been implemented. The erosion has been a persistent issue in Kishoriganj, with substantial land loss reported in previous years as well.

Mobin Hussain Mandal, Deputy Head of Nasratpur Panchayat, stated that due to the recent rise in river water levels, the erosion has intensified. The local administration, including the Block Development Officer (BDO) Sanjay Senapati, has been informed, and the matter has been escalated to higher authorities for further action.

District Magistrate Shubham Agarwal confirmed that a river embankment repair scheme, estimated at approximately ₹2.5 crore, has been submitted but is yet to receive approval. Authorities are currently monitoring the situation to determine whether immediate local interventions can be undertaken.