By Mohammed Mudassir Alam for TwoCircles.net
The recent floods in Seemanchal region of Bihar that caused massive destruction all over the region, including the upcoming centre of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Centre at Kishanganj as well. Situated on the bank of Mahananda river, most of the area of the 224.02 acres campus of AMU Kishanganj Centre is currently swamped with water. In addition to cutting the land of AMU Centre in its embankment side, the flooded Mahananda river caused major damage to the newly constructed boundary walls and resulted into financial loss to the University.
It should be noted, that out of 224.02 acres land transferred to AMU by Bihar government, around 65 – 70 acres land is already lying in the waters of Mahananda river. Hence, right from beginning AMU has actually got around 150 – 155 acres land area that is sandy and not suitable for constructing multi-storey buildings.
The collapsing of the walls due to floods has come as a setback for the first phase of construction work at the upcoming campus of AMU at Kishanganj. But, at the same time, it must be pointed out that the damage has also been caused due to irregularities and poor quality work of the construction firm HSCL (Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited). In fact, since the beginning the construction company is under scanner for irregularities in work and use of below the standard quality and quantity of materials like less thickness of iron rod, improper proportion of cement and sand, etc.
The matter was brought to the notice of AMU administration last year by AMU alumni belonging to Kishanganj. In response, last year in first week of May, 2015, a team comprised of University Engineer Dr. Anwar Khursheed along with Mr. Nizami visited the Centre to assess the pace and quality of work. Dr. Raashid Nehal, Director, AMU Kishanganj Centre also accompanied the team to the site and inspected the boundary wall being constructed by HSCL. At that time Centre’s Director, Dr. Nehal urged the University Engineer to depute a technical staff to supervise the construction project and maintain liaison between HSCL and AMU.
However, despite such guidance and follow ups with the construction firm, irregularities were reported by the local people time-to-time. Now, the reality is before all as the boundary walls couldn’t withstand the floods and collapsed due to bad quality materials.