Due to administrative lapses, a constant threat of river erosion is looming large over the villagers of Madhurkula under endrapara district. Notably, Govari river has already gobbled up nearly 15 houses in the last half decade and is crawling menacingly towards the nearby habitations.
Sources said, about 106 families reside in the village. Most of the villages depend on agriculture. The Govari river is a constant threat for them as it has been changing its course constantly. Due to the erosion by the river, about 120 acres of fertile land in the past few years have slipped into the river belly.
Erosion-related devastation has been a common trend here as the river claims large tracts of agricultural land and destroys houses every year during the rainy season. The farmers are a worried lot due to the activities of the river. The river water ingress into the paddy fields causes large devastation to the standing crops, said Rabindra Das, a villager. The erosion victims have alleged that except rhetoric of serving the people, the Government has not undertaken any effort for better amenities. Even as river erosion is assuming alarming proportions, the authorities are turning a deaf ear to the woes of the people residing in the affected areas.
They criticized the State Government and the district administration for their step-motherly attitude and demanded prompt erosion control measures and construction of road in their village.