Illegal structures hamper natural course of Ghaggar in Punjab

From cowsheds, religious structures to godowns and shops, hundreds of buildings have come up on the Ghaggar riverbed in the state, hampering the natural flow of the rain-fed river.

A senior Irrigation Department officer said many families have been illegally occupying the riverbed for decades. They rebuild their structures after damage during every flood. “While farming on the riverbed isn’t illegal, no compensation is paid for any loss to crops or other structures,” the official said.

Alleging that crores of rupees had been spent on temporary measures, residents of flood-prone villages said rampant corruption in carrying out the annual repair of the river embankments exposed them to the flood fury.

“Wild growth blocks the natural flow while there’s no action against encroachments,” said a Sanaur resident.