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| Congress seeks high-level probe into Rs 186-Crore Devika Project, questions ground situation | | |  Early Times Report
UDHAMPUR, Sept 16: The District Congress Committee (DCC) Udhampur on Wednesday conducted a cleanliness drive at the Devika river site and raised questions over the present condition of the riverfront and the implementation of the Rs 186.74-crore Devika-Tawi River Pollution Abatement Project.
Led by DCC President Sumeet Magotra, Congress workers inspected different areas of the project site and highlighted concerns related to drainage, sewerage and waterlogging, particularly around the cremation ground. According to the party, even light rainfall can result in water entering the cremation area.
"We are not here for a political controversy, but to raise our voice for the dignity of Devika Maiya and the rights of the people of Udhampur," Magotra said.
He questioned how drainage and sewerage-related problems continue to affect areas surrounding the Devika despite the scale of the project. He said that if sewage or drainage water enters roads, shops and residential areas during rainfall, the functioning and quality of the drainage and sewerage infrastructure should be independently examined.
The Devika project was sanctioned in September 2018 at a cost of Rs 186.74 crore under the National River Conservation Plan. Government records list major components including sewer lines, three sewage pumping stations, three sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of 13.60 MLD, riverfront development at bathing ghats and improved cremation facilities.
Magotra said the people have a legitimate right to know how much work has actually been completed, how much expenditure has been incurred and whether the infrastructure is functioning as intended.
"This is public money, not anyone's personal money. Every rupee spent on Devika must be accounted for before the people," he said.
He maintained that Congress was not levelling allegations of corruption against any individual or institution without an inquiry. Instead, he demanded an impartial and high-level investigation into the project's expenditure, execution, quality of work, sewerage and drainage systems and the problems being witnessed during rainfall.
Magotra also called for a comprehensive status report or white paper on the project, detailing the sanctioned amount, expenditure incurred, works completed, pending works and quality assessments.
"Devika is not merely a river or a development project; it is part of Udhampur's faith, culture and identity. The people deserve transparency and a clear account of every rupee spent in its name," Magotra said. |
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