Date:22/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/22/stories/2007082250560200.htm

Other States - Orissa

Survey of changing course of rivers

Staff Reporter

Concern over collapse of bridge on the Vansadhara near Gumuda

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa Government decided to undertake a detailed survey of changing course of rivers near major bridges of the State. Expressing concern over recent collapse of a bridge on Vansadhara river near Gumuda on Berhampur-Rayagada (State Highway 17) road, State Works Minister Ananga Udaya Singhdeo on Monday asked officials of Works and Water Resources to carry out an extensive survey on meandering rivers near major bridges at the earliest.

Engineer-in-Chief of Water Resources H. C. Behera elaborated that survey of all major rivers in upstream and downstream would be surveyed that could help us put up protective barriers.

While bridges less than 500-metre-length would be surveyed by Works Department, Water Resources Department would take charge of all large bridges, Mr. Behera said here on Tuesday. The survey on changing course of rivers would be first of its kind as the State had never come across such phenomenon.

Rivers meandering away from bridge could be possible in delta region due to softness of the soil but course change in hilly area, if it was found true, then was a matter of concern, he said.

Mr. Singhdeo directed officials to construct series of spurs along Vanshadhara River near Gumuda so that flow of the river could be navigated. The Minister also chaired a review meeting convened to find solution to the scouring of Puri beach by tidal waves. The works department has already prepared report suggesting some mitigation measures.

Even though Works Secretary Subhendu Roy suggested various alternative measures such as sand filled Geo tubes, Hopper methods of filling and installation of Geo-textile bags, officials present in the meeting were of the view the scouring of beach was more serious than being perceived.

It was decided that Water Resource department would take up the issue with Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management Directorate of Ministry of Earth Science and National Institute of Oceanography, Goa.

The meeting was attended by B. K Patnaik, Special Secretary, Forest and Environment, L. Ali senior environment scientist and Chief Engineer Roads Nalini Kanta Pradhan.