Gaya: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Monday pledged to pursue the interlinking of the Sone and Falgu rivers and the construction of a dam on the Falgu near Bitho village, north of Gaya town. The issue was raised by Manjhi while addressing a gathering at the foundation-laying ceremony of a technology centre near Khizarsarai.
River Interlinking for Flood and Drought Management
Stressing the importance of river interlinking for flood and drought management as well as efficient water use, Manjhi said Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari was supportive of the proposal. He added that he had raised the issue at a recent meeting of NITI Aayog and had received a positive response. “I will follow up the matter in the coming days,” he said.
Manjhi Seeks CM’s Support
Seeking the CM’s support, Manjhi urged him to use his influence to help realise the project. Referring to Hindu mythology, he said the Falgu remains dry for most of the year because of a curse attributed to Goddess Sita, as the river largely flows beneath the surface. “The river-linking project will help overcome that curse,” he remarked.
CM’s Commitment to Dam Construction
Responding to Manjhi’s comments, the CM said that as Luv and Kush represented Lord Ram’s legacy and he was, by extension, a descendant of Lord Ram, he would make every effort to help restore the Falgu. The CM also reiterated his commitment to the construction of a dam on the Falgu near Bitho village. The project is considered Manjhi’s dream project and was first proposed during his tenure as Bihar CM about a decade ago, but could not move forward after his term ended abruptly.
Leaders Exchange Warm Praise
At the event, both leaders praised each other warmly. While Manjhi said that his friendship with the CM’s father, Shakuni Choudhary, and the age difference between them gave rise to a son-like affection for the CM, Choudhary described Manjhi as a father-like figure.
Concerns Over Sand Mining
Earlier, local MLA Romit Kumar raised concerns over indiscriminate sand mining in the Falgu riverbed, alleging excavation up to 20 feet deep. He sought immediate steps to mitigate the damage caused by excessive mining.
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