Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister-cum-Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on September 16 conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Munger and Bhagalpur and inspected relief arrangements at camps in the two districts.
The leaders visited flood relief camps at Navagadhi and Sheetalpur in Munger and the Polytechnic College in Bhagalpur. They interacted with affected families, reviewed the facilities being provided at the camps and inspected ongoing relief and rescue arrangements.
At the Inter-Level High School campus in Sheetalpur, the Chief Minister inspected the registration counter, relief material distribution centre, temporary health camp, ICDS centre, veterinary camp, community kitchen and temporary Anganwadi centre. Officials briefed him on the arrangements for affected residents and the services being provided at the camp.
Munger District Magistrate Nikhil Dhanraj Nippanikar and Bhagalpur District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey briefed the Chief Minister and Union Minister about the relief operations, health services, affected population and deployment of rescue teams, divers and Aapda Mitras in the flood-hit areas.
CM Interacts With Flood-Affected Families
At the Bhagalpur Polytechnic relief camp, Choudhary inspected the facilities and interacted with people staying there. He also met children in the camp’s recreation room and spoke to affected families about their requirements and the services available to them.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the camp was providing healthcare, community kitchen facilities and other essential services. During the inspection, Choudhary distributed dignity kits among needy flood-affected families.
He also visited the temporary Anganwadi centre and interacted with children and families residing at the camp. He sought information about the quality and availability of food, healthcare, relief materials and other essential facilities.
More Than 8.5 Lakh Families Receive Assistance
Choudhary said the state government was taking all possible measures to provide relief to people affected by the floods. He urged affected families to raise their problems with local public representatives and district magistrates, saying their issues would be addressed.
According to the state government, more than 8.5 lakh flood-affected families have been provided ex-gratia assistance. The Chief Minister said the government would continue to take steps to support affected families.
At-Grade Road Proposed Between Munger And Bhagalpur
The Chief Minister also announced a change in the proposed road infrastructure between Munger and Bhagalpur. He said an 83-km at-grade road would be constructed in place of the proposed elevated road.
According to the government, the at-grade road will also function as a protection wall in flood-prone areas and is expected to provide additional protection to areas affected by flooding.
Centre Assures Assistance For Flood Damage
Chouhan said the Bihar government was conducting relief and rescue operations to support flood-affected families and restore normal conditions. He said teams had visited several affected areas and interacted with residents.
He said arrangements for food, medicines, clothing and other essential requirements had been made for affected people over the past 10 to 12 days. Chouhan also said the Centre would provide all possible assistance to Bihar.
The Union minister said losses to crops, livestock and other sectors caused by the floods would be assessed before necessary assistance was provided. Central teams from the Agriculture and Rural Development departments have reached Bihar to assess the damage, according to the state government.
Senior officials and public representatives, including Urban Development and Housing Minister Nitish Mishra, legislators Kumar Pranay and Nachiketa, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Disaster Management Department Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall, Chief Minister’s Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh and Water Resources Department Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, were present during the inspections.
Senior administrative and police officials from Munger and Bhagalpur, along with other officials and flood-affected families, also attended the visits.
