Involved agencies are trying to ensure that the lifeline of Ranchi receives its all important lease of life even with sporadic rainfall lashing the city. Work on various aspects of Harmu River rejuvenation and beautification project continues with minor setbacks caused due to rains.
The rejuvenation and beautification project aims at cleaning the river of garbage accumulated over the course of years and revamp its banks with rows of trees and recreational areas.
Even with less than normal rainfall in Ranchi, water level and flow have grown in the river cutting through Ranchi. Earlier this month, a part of the bridge across it on Harmu Bypasss road had caved in due to soil erosion after incessant rains.
Work had not stopped due to rains, claimed Vikas Kumar, Senior Engineer with Eagle Infra India limited, the Mumbai-based company conducting the rejuvenation and beautification project.
“Work is going on to set up the sewage treatment plant meant to filter the water from Harmu River. laying tiles and concreting the banks is also continuing at good pace. We have started planting trees along the banks of the river as planned,” said Kumar.
The only slowdown in work the team is facing is with the inlets to the river. “We have to develop the inlets to the Harmu River or streams bringing water to it by constructing structures. There are several streams or drain lines which fall into the river and some of them are filled with water during monsoon alone, which makes it the only season when they can be demarcated properly,” Kumar said.
Once identified the flow of water from the inlets and drains will be directed along the flow of the river towards the upcoming sewerage treatment plant for filtration, he further said. Presently, these inlets are being identified for developing structures on their mouths.
Meanwhile, the second phase rejuvenation and beautification of Harmu River is already on the drawing board. A presentation on the next phase of this project was presented before functionaries of Ranchi Municipal Corporation few weeks ago by RK Consultant, the firm surveying the river for ways to better its condition.
As of now, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the second phase is being chalked out by the consultants that will target approximately the seven km long stretch of the river.
“The second phase will feature fencing and installing dustbins along the banks of Harmu River. Recreational parks with playground equipment will also be built in this phase,” said an official.
He further added, “In this phase, the river bed will also be concreted to prevent run off with flow of the river. The second phase is estimated to cost approximately Rs 60 to 65 crores.”