Kavrepalanchowk : Minister for Home Affairs, Sudhan Gurung, visited the Roshi area at Panauti Municipality in Kavrepalanchowk on Tuesday to inspect damages along the BP Highway caused by last year’s flood and landslides.
It may be noted that massive floods and landslide occurred in Panauti Town in the third week of October last year had claimed 20 lives including one foreign national while one person still remains missing. A total of 586 houses were completely destroyed and 944 others houses were at high risk, according to the Municipality’s record.
During the inspection, Minister Gurung instructed the concerned stakeholders to immediately shut down all illegally operated crusher plants and mining activities that fail to meet regulatory standards.
The Minister observed that unregulated extraction of sand and aggregates has contributed significantly to landslide and flooding in the region and expressed his concern that the authorities also failed to curb such activities.
During the inspection on Tuesday, Minister Gurung instructed the concerned stakeholders to immediately shut down all illegally operated crusher plants and mining activities that fail to meet regulatory standards.
The Minister observed that unregulated extraction of sand and aggregates has contributed significantly to landslide and flooding in the region and expressed his concern that the authorities also failed to curb such activities.
“Earlier, political leaders had allowed such illegal operations through collusion in contract process,” alleged the Minister, warning. “If such activities continue, I will take strict action. Both legal and illegal operations will be investigated immediately.”
Minister Gurung said that improper licensing and unchecked extraction of natural resources including sand and aggregates had increased disaster risks in the Roshi area.
He also expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of initiatives in controlling environmental exploitation.
Dozens of crusher plants and mines are currently operating in the Roshi River area of Panauti town.
Earlier, Minister Gurung had inspected the damaged section of the BP Highway in the Roshi area and held discussions with stakeholders regarding the disaster-incurred losses and assessed potential future disasters.
During the inspection, he highlighted the importance of implementing disaster preparedness measures and directed the security authorities to remain strategically prepared to deal with disaster.
He also called for drawing lessons from the past regarding disaster response efforts and put in place effective disaster preparedness.
