Satna, Sep 11 — The Satna district administration in Madhya Pradesh has constituted a five-member team to inspect constructions and encroachments along the banks of the Mandakini River in Chitrakoot following the flooding of the river last week.
The team, headed by the Majhgawan Sub-Divisional Magistrate, will identify structures that may be obstructing the natural flow of the river and also assess the High Flood Level (HFL) of the Mandakini, Collector Satish Kumar S. said.
The inspection will be carried out in accordance with guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), he said in a statement.
During the floods on the night of August 28-29, the water level of the Mandakini River at Arogyadham reached 145.76 metres, against the designated HFL of 139.60 metres. The Hanumandhara Bridge was also washed away in the flooding.
"The team will identify constructions and other infrastructure obstructing the natural flow of the river. Action will be taken against violations as per rules," he said.
The team comprises the Chief Municipal Officer, a Naib Tehsildar, Sub-Divisional Officers of the Public Works Department and Water Resources Department, and a Municipal Council sub-engineer.
Illegal plotting and government and private constructions along the riverbanks will be examined during the inspection.
The administration will also identify old and structurally weak buildings and check whether they comply with the prescribed norms. New constructions and reconstructed buildings in the riverbank areas will also be scrutinised from the safety point of view, according to the official statement.
"The exercise is aimed at minimising flood-related damage and ensuring public safety during any future rise in the river's water level," the Collector said.
The move comes days after Urban Development and Housing Minister and district in-charge minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said government and private encroachments obstructing the Mandakini's flow would be removed.
The inspection is expected to help the administration identify violations and determine further action to prevent obstruction of the river's flow.