Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari conducted a review meeting on Thursday to assess the implementation of the scheduled action plan for the Shaheed Nilambar Pitambar North Koel Project (Mandal Dam). She directed officials to immediately begin essential groundwork to bring the plan into action.
Emphasizing the need for smooth rehabilitation, she instructed that landowners (raiyats) expected to be displaced should be taken into confidence, and obstacles in their resettlement must be addressed promptly.
Tiwari clearly stated that basic infrastructure must be provided at the resettlement site before the raiyats are relocated.
As per the project, around 750 families from seven villages—Khaira, Bhajna, Sanaiya, Kutku, Khura, Chemo, and Meral—in Garhwa and Latehar districts are to be resettled. The government has already reached an agreement with the raiyats to provide ₹15 lakh in two installments and one acre of land per family as part of the resettlement package. The plan is to relocate them to Ranka block. The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue with the Displaced People’s Struggle Committee and seeking cooperation from local legislators to ensure public interest is served.
Full Security to WAPCOS and Inter-District Coordination Ordered
The Chief Secretary also directed that WAPCOS, the agency assigned to complete the pending work of Mandal Dam, be provided full security arrangements. She instructed the Garhwa and Latehar district administrations to coordinate and ensure compliance at the earliest. During the review, WAPCOS confirmed that it would begin work within two days of receiving security support.
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Smt. Tiwari also reviewed progress on opening SPARSH accounts at the Reserve Bank of India to facilitate compensation payments to the displaced families. Additionally, she assessed the mapping of displaced persons under the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
She further reviewed the status of removal of electric poles and transformers located along both sides of the right main canal of the project, and directed officials to expedite the process.
Officials Present at the Review
The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari and attended by Finance Secretary Prashant Kumar, Forest Secretary Abu Bakkar Siddiqui, while Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of Garhwa and Latehar districts joined the meeting online.
