Jharkhand High Court expresses disappointment over poor condition of Harmu river

Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has expressed its concern over the poor condition of the Harmu river. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dr. Ravi Ranjan and Justice S N Prasad while hearing a PIL commented that the poor condition of the river was unfortunate. The court expressing its concern over the poor planning for the rejuvenation of the river asked the government whether the latter has done anything to prevent the fall of untreated dirty drain water into it.

The comments from the court followed while taking up a petition filed by one Janardan Dubey through which he has demanded relief from the dirty road water entering his house in the Hinoo area. Thus the court apart from raising the issue of the river also asked how come road water entered the house.

The court attempted to know whether topography of the area was studied before the road construction. The court Ranchi Municipal Corporation filed an affidavit in the matter and deferred the hearing for three weeks. Earlier the state government attempted to satisfy the court saying a plan has been chalked out to prevent the entry of road water into the houses.

It was informed to the court that there was a drain from the Indira Palace to the Bhusur river which disappeared and a plan to reopen it has been chalked out. It was submitted that water will be drained through the PWD office, Old Ph.D. Colony and Shivpuri Colony. It was also informed to the court that an amount of Rs 2.25 crore is estimated to be spent for the said scheme and its approval has been given  by the Urban Development Department.