|
Shri Sharad Pawar
Hon’ble Union Minister
Agriculture;Food & Civil Supplies; Consumer Affairs &
Public Distribution
Government of India
Krishi Bhawan
New Delhi
Sub: Damages /destruction and deaths caused by “AILA CYCLONE” in three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling District on 25th & 26th May 2009 – Request for central assistance from Government of India
Hon’ble Sir,
We would like to appraise you that AILA CYCLON Storm which hit Darjeeling District Hill Areas on 25th & 26th May, 2009 have wrecked havoc causing an unprecedented heavy damage & devastation to the public and private properties. The total number of Deaths so far reported is 30. Some more are still missing.
The normal life in the Hill Areas has been disrupted especially during this peak Tourist Season due to damages of roads and Communication. Water and electric supplies have also been affected badly. The normal life in the District as a whole is slowly limping back to normalcy primarily due to rescue/relief operation launched by the service rendered by the common people and by the Volunteers of Gorkha Janmukthi Morcha (GJM). It has been acknowledged by the Home Secretary Govt. of West Bengal during the course of discussion on relief measures with the GJM delegates at Darjeeling on 28th May, 2009.
So far the correct reported death toll has reached to 32 people and many yet to be found from the debris primarily due to heavy landslide in different parts of the District. Reports of people missing have been trickling at our office. It is reported that more than two hundred person have directly been injured due to landslide and more than 15,000 thousand displaced.
We may also mention that a team led by Shri Bimal Gurung, President, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had apprised the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal on 3rd June 2009 regarding the heavy casualties/damages and destructions in Darjeeling hills due to Aila Cyclone and requested to extend all necessary assistance. We also invited the Hon’ble Chief Minister to visit Darjeeling and inspect the destruction caused to lives and properties.
We understand that the District Magistrate Darjeeling has already forwarded to the State Govt. of West Bengal a brief report on the damages caused and the relief measures required. The District Magistrate’s estimated fund required for temporary restoration is Rs. 80 Crores (Eighty Crores) and, for permanent restoration the fund required is Rs 266 crores (Two hundred Sixty six crores).
The above estimates seems to be preliminary one and on the lower side. The detailed estimate once prepared will definitely be on the much higher scale as the damages were devastating and unprecedented.
You are therefore requested to be liberal while granting the fund under central calamity contingency fund.
Further, you are also requested to sanction of Ex-gratia grant under NCCF as follows:-
1. Rs. 5 lakhs each to the next of kin of the deceased.
2. Rs.50,000/- each to the injured person.
3. Rs. 25,000/- for the loss of cattle to the owner.
4. Rs. 3 lac each for houses lost or damage.
5. Rs.1000/- Crores (One thousand crores) for the complete restoration of roads/communications, electricity and water supply etc.
A sizeable quantum of grant will be required to repair and restore the drains (jhoras) which are the natural drainage for the hills. The road in the town as well as the rural areas have also been extensively damaged which needs to be repaired immediately on permanent basis before the onset of monsoons.
In order to restore normal supply of drinking water in the Municipal areas as well as rural areas, the fund required will be more than the estimate prepared. Dwelling house compensation to be paid is much lower than the actual requirement as the cost of construct ion is almost five times more than the plain areas.
It is suggested that a high powered Technical Survey Team comprising experts from I.I.T Rourkie and Geological Survey of India may be sent to Darjeeling immediately to study the recurring landslide problem in the hills. The team may recommend short term and long term measures by preparing a comprehensive plan in order to minimize the losses in such natural calamities in future.
Further, there is need to Ban the use of Plastic and Polythene sheets products in the hills as recommended by the His Excellency the Governor of West Bengal. Perhaps, necessary Legislation may be needed in order to enforce the Ban. An alternative eco friendly paper bags/ packing materials factory, have to be established in Darjeeling to replace the use of plastic packages in phases.
Sir, we will be grateful if the Government of India grants liberal financial assistance from the central calamity contingency fund (CCCF) so that the long term preventive measures can be taken up in order to minimize such heavy casualties/losses in terms of human life and private/public properties from the landslides in future.
Compiled list of the damages, loss of life and properties and suggestive measures are enclosed for your ready reference.
With Highest Regards,
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Rooshan Giri
General Secretary
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha
Suggested Measures to avert landslide in Darjeeling Hills
1) Protection, restoration and strengthening of all the jhoras which have not been damaged but they need to be protected.
2) Series of protection wall at N.H 31A and N.H 55 as it is landslide prone.
3) Protection wall in all landslide prone areas in the Darjeeling Hills to avoid further damages.
4) Protection wall on Teesta Bank, road safety maintenance of Culverts and bridges along N.H 31A, other rivers like Balasun, Rangiit, Mahanadi and other important rivers.
5)Sewage System in all the Hill Towns of Darjeeling,Kurseong,Kalimpong, Mirik and other smaller towns be revamped upgraded and modernized to prevent land erosions causing landslide.
6) Town Expansion and Satellite Township to avoid congestion and future calamities.
7) Alternative road connectivity to the District Headquarter from the bordering areas from nearest Airport, and Railway station to cope with future calamity and emergency.
8) Alternative connectivity road to Darjeeling Town from Jorebunglow via Lebong to avoid future calamity.
9) Protection wall and overall revamping of the railway track of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway along N.H 55 which is landslide prone.
With Highest Regards,
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Rooshan Giri
General Secretary
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha
|
