More excavators and tipper trucks than permitted found in operation; CDO calls for stricter transport management and CCTV monitoring
KATHMANDU, MAY 22
The District Monitoring Committee in Nawalpur has directed authorities concerned to regulate excavation and extraction works in the Narayani River after irregularities were found during an on-site inspection.
Committee coordinator and Chief of the District Coordination Committee, Baburam Bishwokarma, said river-based materials were being extracted in an uncontrolled manner, with excavation carried out deeper than permitted and beyond locations approved through environmental impact assessment.
According to him, despite earlier monitoring and suggestions for compliance, no satisfactory improvement was seen even after a week.
The committee found that more excavators than the permitted limit were being used for extraction. Although only four excavators were allowed, up to nine excavators and more than 200 tipper trucks were reportedly involved in daily operations.
Bishwokarma stressed the need for proper record-keeping of transported river materials and invoices, adding that immediate measurement and verification were necessary due to excessive extraction.
Chief District Officer Bhabhishwor Pandey instructed authorities to ensure that transported materials do not spill from tipper trucks and that vehicles be covered during transportation.
He also suggested monitoring the transportation of river materials through CCTV cameras, stating that municipalities are primarily responsible for managing transportation, while security support would be provided if required.
Pandey said the administration was unaware that excavation activities had involved construction of a dam and diversion of the river's course. However, he noted that temporary access routes built for transportation purposes would be dismantled after completion of excavation works.
(With inputs from RSS)