Himalayan Times (1956)

Eight

jSiimthimiu QJimea

June 17, 1956

more of power, thus bring-
ging the total to 4 mil-
lion K.w. But looking at
the importance attached
to the normal load deve-
lopment of the country
during the past ten years
and having regard to the
fact that industries are
being given priority in the
second Plan, more power
will be needed. It may
be that the total power
required will be some-
where between 5 to 6
million K.w From hydro
electrio as well as thermal
power stations, it will be
possible to ' generate the
required power during the
second Plan It would,
however, be premature to
say exactly what amount
will have to be spent on
these power projects, but
it may be near about
Rs. 7500 to 5000 million.

These are the benefi-
cial uses of the waters
from the rivers. There is,
however, a negative and
destructive side. During
the first Five Year Plan
not much attention was
paid to flood control
measure. Of course such
multipurpose schemes as
the Bhakra Nangal, the
Damodar Valley and the
Hirakud envisaged flood
control measures. These
were a part of the whole
scheme. Other protective
works were not included
in the Plan except the
protection works at Dib-
rugarh.

During the last two
years the country has ex-
perienced severe floods
some of which were un-
precedented in the history
of the last 100 years. It
appears as though 1954
was the beginning of this
cycle and the floods in
Bihar, Assam and U. P.
brought info prominence
the importance of flood
oontrol works.

The Kosi project,
which had been considered
for some years, was sanc-
tioned immediately and
work on that project star-
ted.-f" The protection of
the towns of Dibrugarh,
Palasbari and Sualkuchi
in Assam, Jalpaiguri &
Cooch-Behar and other
towns in Bengal and em-
bankments on the Burhi
Gandak in Bihar, the rai-
sing of lowlying villages
in G.P. and the construc-
tion of embankments on
several rivers were under-
taken immediately. A
special flood organisation
at the Centre and various

other organisations in the
States were created. River
commissions were esta-
blished and flood control
measures were taken up
on a war basis. The
works undertaken during
the year have had a salu-
tary effect in checking
the floods in the affected
areas to a large extent
and the country may well
be proud of the perfor-
mance of the Dibrugarh
protection works. It is a
story of challenge met
with firm determination,
hard work and all round
cooperation, leading to
success. These works in
themselves however, are
not enough. The Govern-
ment will have to adopt
further measures of control.
The Second Plan will also
have to provide for flood
protection and control
works, with, of course,
the cooperation of the
people. Let us only hope
that the efforts of man
will be crowned with suc-
cess, bringing peace and
prosperity to the country.

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