CM visits flood-hit Hadoti, claims ERCP would have solved flooding!

Kota : Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas following heavy rainfall and met affected people. Gehlot took stock of the situation in Bundi, Kota and Baran districts. His tour to Jhalawar was called off later in the afternoon due to bad weather conditions. Gehlot is proposed to visit Mandrayal town in Karauli on Friday to take stock of the villages submerged in flood waters of Chambal river. Speaking to the media after the aerial survey in Baran, Gehlot lashed out at the Centre and demanded that the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) be declared a national initiative. He said had it been constructed, the flood water from the Kota barrage could have been used in 13 districts and flooding avoided. “What are the hurdles in declaring the ERCP a national project, the Centre must answer,” Gehlot said. He appreciated rescue efforts by the administration, Army, NDRF, and SDRF.

Appreciating UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal for the Chambal river front project, Gehlot said that the project has saved some areas from flood water and Dhariwal had vowed to change the Face of Kota through many such projects. Shanti Dhariwal, Pipalda MLA Ramnarayan Meena and Sangod MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur accompanied the CM. Gehlot reached Montessori School in Nayapura where a shelter has been built for more than 100 flood-hit people. He stayed among the people for about 15 minutes and directed officials for all arrangements. “There is water everywhere. SDRF, Civil Defence and NDRF conducted timely rescue, hence there was no casualty. There has been a lot of damage to the crops. Even thatched houses have collapsed. We are getting a survey to ascertain the losses,” he said. “As soon as ERCP becomes ready, the problem of flooding in Hadoti will be solved,” CM Gehlot added.