Ill-preparedness on part of the Nainital district in starting the collection of riverbed material from Gola river in Haldwani and other rivers in the region as per schedule has not only caused huge loss to the State’s exchequer but also has rendered thousands of people, including the traders and the labourers associated with this trading activity, jobless.
The trade related to collection of riverbed materials generally starts from October or the first week of November in the region. This season, half of the current month has already passed, but it has not yet started.
Earlier, the same work was scheduled to start from November 1. later, the Nainital district administration decided to start it from November 17.
But now, the officials said, the date has been fixed on November 21.
The matter of concern is only 4200 out of 7000 vehicles to be used in this project have so far been registered with the regional transport department, as the officials informed. The collection of riverbed material not just provides a livelihood option to but comes as a source of revenue in terms of royalty for the State Government. Therefore, there should not be any delay on the matter, she said, directing the officials concerned to start the collection of riverbed materials work at the earliest.
State Finance Minister and MlA from Haldwani Indira Haridayesh expressed concern over the delay in the starting of the collection. Even Chief Minister Harish Rawat, during his recent visit to Haldwani, expressed concern over the delay.
However, he assured the people that work would start soon. Now, according to the Nainital district administration officials, the collection of riverbed materials is likely to start from November 21.
Reviewing the preparations for the collection of riverbed materials, Dipak Rawat, District Magistrate, Nainital, asked the officials concerned to take necessary steps in this regard soon.
He also asked the officials concerned to deal strongly with the matter of overloading, saying overloading in collection of riverbed material works will not be tolerated.
The collection work is carried out on the banks of some of the rivers here, including Gola, Dabka and Koshi.