Katihar (Bihar): Hundreds of families displaced due to continuous erosion by the Mahananda River in the Balia Belon region of Kadwa block are forced to live in makeshift huts along the roadside embankments. Every year, the number of families displaced by river erosion increases, yet the state government and administration have taken no concrete steps for their rehabilitation.
“The plight of families displaced by the relentless erosion of the Mahananda River is a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable rehabilitation policies. Despite repeated promises, the lack of concrete action by the government raises serious questions about its commitment to the welfare of these vulnerable citizens. Providing basic amenities, allocating land, and ensuring access to welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are not just solutions but moral imperatives. It is time for the administration to act decisively and restore dignity to these displaced families, integrating them into the mainstream before their struggles deepen further.”
Displaced Families Forced to Live in Huts
From Meenapur to Sheikhpura and Shikarpur, thousands of displaced families have set up huts along the embankments. After losing their homes, the lack of land and permanent housing has forced these families to live in extremely harsh conditions. They lack basic facilities such as toilets and clean drinking water. Although the government had announced the provision of three decimal plots of land, only a few families have received land in the last ten years.
Due to the lack of benefits from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, these families remain deprived of modern basic amenities. The absence of toilets compels them to defecate in the open, creating hygiene and safety issues.
Villages Wiped Out
Villages like Benibari, Raiyanpur, Mahinagar, Manjhok, Kujibana, Mukuria, Bhag Sahjana, Nazirpur, Ahmadpur, Kharitola, Jeetwarpur, and Gamharagachhi have nearly disappeared due to erosion by the Mahananda River. Most families from these villages, rendered homeless, are now forced to live in huts along the embankments. During floods and rainy seasons, these families face additional threats from snakes, scorpions, and other dangers.
Statements from Village Heads and Representatives
Kadwa Mukhiya Sangh President Meraj Alam highlighted the severity of the displaced families’ problems, stating that their children are deprived of basic facilities like education and healthcare. He criticized the state government’s welfare schemes, saying they remain confined to paper and fail to reach these families.
Sheikhpura Mukhiya representative Iqbal Hussain shared that thousands of acres of arable land have been engulfed by the river due to erosion. This has turned even wealthy farmers into impoverished ones. He urged the government to provide land to displaced families so they could have permanent housing and access to basic amenities.
Congress District Vice President Haji Margubul Haque emphasized that families living along the embankments have not benefited from schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He demanded the allocation of three decimals of land to these families so they could be eligible for housing benefits.
Madhaiyapur Mukhiya Asrar Ahmed stated that embankments from Meenapur to Shikarpur and Kasba Toli are crowded with displaced families. Despite repeated demands at the administrative level, no substantial steps have been taken.
Warning of Protest
Displaced families have demanded rehabilitation from the district administration and state government, warning that they will be forced to protest if their demands are not met. They urged the authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to integrate them into the mainstream.
Questions for the Government and Administration
The major panchayats affected by Mahananda River erosion include Taiyabpur, Shikarpur, Bhaunagar, Sheikhpura, and Beni Jalalpur. Most of the population in these panchayats is landless. The question arises: why are the government’s announcements not being implemented on the ground? Is providing the rights of displaced families not a priority for the government?
A Glimmer of Hope
It is high time the government and administration take concrete steps to rehabilitate these displaced families. Providing them with three decimal plots of land and extending benefits from schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and other welfare programs can significantly improve their lives. If such measures are not taken, their challenges may worsen further.
