Continuous rain causes structural damage to Tilpara barrage in Birbham district of West Bengal

Heavy rains in West Bengal have caused major structural damage to Tilpara barrage in Birbham district. Transport on this cardinal bridge over the barrage has been stopped, one of the major links between North and South Bengal. Local people negligent the government in repairing the decades -old barrage.

This year, many districts of West Bengal are struggling with heavy rains, waterfalls and even landslides in some parts of North Bengal.

According to the West Bengal State Irrigation Department, on 29 July, the sudden increase in rain in Birbham led to a decline of 99 mm in 2 hours, causing an unprecedented increase in discharge – 48,600 cusecs – through the structure of Tilpara Barrage. By 7 am, Inflow had reached 56,497 cusecs, causing exposure to the sheet of sheet under the barrage apron and compromised on the divide wall. The area received about 600 mm of rain in 2024 from mid -July last year from mid -June, but it received rain this year.

Minister of Irrigation and Waterways Manas Bhunia said that after July 14, temporary measures were taken to increase the situation, and the loose boulder was thrown to the impervious floor. “Despite these efforts, the barrage abolished severe damage and endless rains disrupted the work several times,” he said.

An emergency response – which includes sand grouts under the floor and reinforced Gabian dumping – was proposed on 3 August by IIT Rruki experts. Minister Bhunia confirmed that the work would start from August 9, with full gathering of machinery and skilled masspower.

“According to the site experts going to the site, the area is in the area, but the emphasis of water is serious, and the structure is old, so the loss is maintained.”

The 308-meter Tilpara barrage was constructed in 1951 and the state has suffered several damage over the years. But the local people of the region have alleged the lack of negligence and maintenance as the major causes behind the collapse of the structure. Due to the sudden increase in the situation, the government had to stop the movement on the bridge over the barrage from 1 August. This has caused large -scale communication difficulty for the local people.

“The road above the barrage is part of National Highway 14, the main city of Birbum is Suri, which is connected to this road. Any person coming from other parts of Birbham will have to take other routes and wait for 2-3 hours in the traffic jam. There is no maintenance of this barrage, it was bound to happen,” Surri Suri was told by a resident of Suri Suri. HinduHe also said that heavy load vehicles including Decha Pachmi coal mines are constantly traveling through this road, causing further damage to the weak structure.

According to officials, the first loss to the structure was seen in 2019. Mr. Bhauniya alleged that the Central Government has never approved money for repair works since 2019 and repair work has been delayed.

The State Irrigation Department confirmed on August 8 that IIT ROORKEE experts visited on August 3 and proposed some immediate measures to include the situation – which reinforced sand grouts under the floor and Gabian dumping.

A delegation of the Central Water Commission will survey the Tilpara barrage on Saturday.