Nitish calls for army help to prevent landslide in Gaya hill, orders evacuation
Patna,(BiharTimes): On the eve of a fortnight long Pitripaksha Mela, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday sought the help of army to prevent landslide in the Brahmajoni foothills in Gaya town. He also ordered evacuation of hundreds of houses in and around the hill.
There is a threat of landslide as Gaya had witnessed record rainfall in the recent days. The town has twice been flooded within a month period and. The rain has broken the 40 years old record. The last time Gaya saw flood was in 1975.
Speaking local people after inspecting the area the chief minister said services of the army engineers have been requisitioned to prevent landslide.
Reports said that a 15X30ft rock, which got displaced due to heavy rains on Tuesday, is hanging precariously on the hillock.
According to district magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravi at least 100 houses would come under the rock if it rolls down.
The CM also told the residents that a team of experts would soon be arriving from Allahabad to work out logistical details for either relocation or disposal of the rock. Nitish said that accommodation and food would be provided to the displaced residents in special camps.
He also directed the officials to immediately demolish all houses built on the Mansarwa Nala, the main exit of the rainwater. The encroachment is believed to be the main reason behind accumulation of rainwater in localities at the southern end––on the way to Bodh Gaya.
A special task force under the joint leadership of DDC Sanjiv Kumar and City SP Awakash Kumar has been constituted to execute the demolition drive.
The Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) is situated not far away from Brahmajoni hill.
Incidentally, all this is happening when Gaya is gearing up for Pitripaksha Mela, in which laksh of pilgrims from India and abroad do come. They also pay a visit to the said hill.
