Survey on encroachment, promptness in helping people: Junagadh Mayor recalls flash floods response

On July 22, the rain on Mount Girnar was a torrential 22 inches and when large volumes of the runoff entered the city, the situation became very critical. Floodwaters entered people’s houses, bringing along mud and filth. We called in teams of around 350 sanitation workers from Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh Rural, and Amreli to assist around 600 sanitation workers of Junagadh who cleaned up the city in three days. We took prompt action to prevent any disease outbreak; fogging was done extensively. A mud layer, up to one foot thick, had formed in people’s homes but we got everything cleaned up within three days. It was a natural disaster but there was no large-scale loss of life. Having said that, people did go through some terrible moments. To prevent the recurrence of this, complaints have been taken into account about encroachments along the natural drains from the mountain. We will conduct surveys and to remove encroachments.

Has the process begun?

Some clearances for construction are issued by the (District) Collector. So the corporation has to inform the Collectorate also. We want to get this survey and inquiry done on a priority basis. Once this is done, we shall take appropriate steps. However, people are living in these structures, and builders who built them have sold them and washed their hands off them. So, off hand, we don’t know who the builders were. But we are willing to do what it takes to ensure that people don’t suffer in the future.

What is the status of the detail on the encroachment on the natural drains that you had sought, as you had shared with The Indian Express earlier, from the Junagadh Municipal Commissioner and Junagadh Collector?

They launched an inquiry immediately. I also held one more meeting with the Collector and the Commissioner and they told me that they will get the inquiry done soon to ascertain how much construction has been done, and how much is planned to be done.

Junagadh MLA Sanjay Koradia had written a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, complaining about the alleged encroachment along banks of natural drains. Has the JMC taken any action on that?

Before the MLA, I had also written a similar letter and met the CM seeking action on the complaints of encroachments on natural drains. As the MLA has underlined in his letter, we have to protect the interests of people and not others. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that in the future, people don’t have to suffer in a similar manner.

What help did the state government extend during the flash floods?

Damage has been extensive as the floodwaters of Junagadh eventually inundated the Ghed area downstream. So, the Minister-in-charge paid a visit and said that the state government would pay appropriate compensation. It also sent 300 to 350 sanitation workers from other districts and instructed us to clean up the city in order to prevent disease outbreaks.

Is any provisional data available for the compensation paid?

A survey has been done in every place that suffered damages. The government will pay whatever compensation is possible. There were losses even of livestock. Cumulatively, we have a list of 350 to 400 people who have suffered losses.

Has the JMC sought any special package from the government for damaged roads, and collapsed walls?

The Corporation will restore all roads and construct CC (cement concrete) walls. However, we are still collating figures of damage.

Do you think a stormwater drainage network could have helped contain the damage during the flash flood?

The work of developing underground sewage lines is in progress and that will help in the overall drainage of the city… We already have natural drains (vokla) for channeling stormwater. Thanks to that, whatever amount of rainfall, floodwaters recede within a couple of hours. That was the case during the flash flood also.

After an auto driver, Sanjay Dabhi, and his two sons were killed in a building collapse on July 24 after the flood, his wife died allegedly by suicide. What has the JMC done to give justice to the Dabhi family?

The government had announced ex gratia compensation of Rs four lakh each soon after the incident. We were with them constantly during the entire incident and at the hospital. We are saddened by the incident and continue to stand by their family.

After the collapse of the building on Datar Road, after you declared 45 other buildings dangerous, what action has been taken by the JMC?

We immediately started demolishing buildings that had been deemed dangerous and were served evacuation notices. Almost 80 to 90 such buildings have been demolished so far, both residential and commercial and that process is still ongoing. The demolitions were on the directives of the state government. We are assessing the conditions of buildings and how natural drains have been encroached.

The next JMC election is due in a year’s time. Do you think the flash floods will be an issue?

I don’t think so at all. The flood was a natural disaster and one can’t directly blame specific individuals. Twelve inches of downpour will flood any city. So, I don’t think it will be a poll issue.

There was violence after JMC served notice to a dargah in front of Majevadi Darwaja. There is no direct stay from any court against demolition. In such a scenario, why is the JMC not acting?

We are proceeding with this issue as per instructions of the state government. MLA Kantilal Amrutiya wove his election campaign around his rescue act after the Jhulto pul collapse in Morbi and won.

In this context, are you happy with the way JMC responded to the flash flood and will it talk about it in the campaign?

There are no complaints from people that they suffered due to the flash flood. On the contrary, people cooperated with us. People are happy with the way the Team JMC put in the efforts. The main issue was cleanliness and we ensured that the entire area was neat and clean within three days.

What do you think of the stance of your party and government with respect to Dalits?

Two Dalits were recently murdered in Surendranagar. There was one incident involving Dalits in Central Gujarat. Sanjay Dabhi was also a Dalit and the district has a sizable population of Dalits.

The government is sensitive to all communities. For the government, everyone is equal. There is nothing like one is Dalit and the other belongs to some other community. I am occupying this post, thanks to the government.

In the aftermath of the flash flood, will JMC amend laws concerning general development and construction permissions?

We will give development permission by ensuring that voklas remain free from encroachment and demolish those that encroach on them. Existing encroachment came up years ago and we are getting them surveyed.

Jamnagar Mayor Bina Kothari and a local MLA were involved in a public spat recently. How do you view that incident?
What I can say about it? It is their internal problem. I don’t know what I can say about it. Such things do take place. However, they have already reached a truce, haven’t they?