Now August deadline for Harmu river rejuvenation

The Harmu river currently undergoing massive rejuvenation exercise may get a new lease of life by August this year. An official of agency working on the project– Eagle Infra India Limited-- stated that all major restoration and beautification work of this river have been completed.

Vikash Kumar, Senior Engineer of Eagle Infra India Limited on Sunday said, “Finishing work that includes cleaning inlets, minor repair work of river section is left which will be completed within 10 days. As per the order of Department of Urban Development, Housing and Planning, the company has redesigned the sandy sections again to prevent untoward incidents during incessant downpour.”

The rejuvenation and beautification project aims at cleaning garbage of the river accumulated over the course of years. Revamping its banks with rows of trees and creation of recreational areas along the riverside is an integral part of this project.

Kumar further added that due to last year’s damage, the agency took some time in completing the first phase task; however, the work at present is going on in a speedy pace. “Last year, a part of the bridge across it on Harmu Bypass road had fissured in due to soil erosion after heavy rainfall, its reconstruction took some time.”

According to the senior Engineer, setting up the sewage treatment plant meant to filter the water from Harmu River has been completed besides the construction of Pathways, pavements, toilets. Work of laying tiles and concreting the banks is also done. Plantation of saplings along the banks of the river as a part of the rejuvenation and beautification project has been finished as planned by Eagle Infra India Limited, the Mumbai-based company.

Notably, for five years after the completion of civil construction task at the Harmu Riverside, the concerned agency has been given the charge of operation and maintenance (O&M) of all civil structures here.

The project involves a whopping cost of Rs. 85.43 crore, covering approximately 10.4 km area in the first phase. The consulting and designing agency is trying to ensure that the restoration work of lifeline of Ranchi gets complete before the onset of rainfall this season covering all aspects of beautification project as per the detailed project report (DPR).

Meanwhile, the second phase rejuvenation and beautification of Harmu River is being chalked out by the department. “Further, new phase work will be handed over to the company soon. The second phase will feature fencing, preservation of natural habitat and installing lights along the banks of Harmu River. Developing recreational sites along the river is also on the cards. In addition, the river bed will be concreted further exceeding the area to prevent surplus flow of the water,” said Kumar.