Kosi breach case of govt apathy? | Situation grim

NEGLECTED: Kosi Barrage was built in Nepal in 1956 under a bilateral agreement with India.

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Kosi Barrage: As River Kosi continues to wreak havoc on the lives of people in Bihar, questions are being raised if it was the government's neglect that led to the tragedy.

Over 3 million people have lost their homes and loved ones as the angry waters of River Kosi inundated more than 16 districts of Bihar.

The great flood began at the eastern embankment of the barrage in Nepal which was breached, letting the river wash away everything in its path.

After the breach, Kosi which used to flow south turned towards the eastern direction causing large-scale devastation.

But could this tragedy have been avoided? The man who headed the Kosi project for 10 long years thinks so.

"There was massive silt deposit which was neglected," explains Bindeshwari Singh, retired engineer-in-chief of Kosi Project.

The Kosi Barrage was built in Nepal in 1956 under a bilateral agreement with India and its original life span was 25 years.

But even 27 years after its "expiry date in 1981", it has not been replaced. As per the agreement, India is responsible for repair and maintenance. But that was often neglected.

This neglect resulted in disaster. But Indian officials say they aren't the only ones to blame

"There is no security for us. We need a licence to take the labour to Nepal and even then they don't work according to our directions, " Satyanarayan, a suspended engineer of the Kosi Project, says.

The state government though is confident that it can overcome the tragedy soon.

For the moment, the focus is on relief and rehabilitation of the victims.

But questions are already being raised on whom to blame for this human misery.