BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 13th January 2026: A multi-crore project launched by the Tripura government to protect the banks of the Gomati River has come under serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Official records show that Rs 6.77 crore was sanctioned for installing boulders and cement concrete blocks along the left bank of the river in Udaipur’s Ward Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 6.
According to the Letter of Acceptance issued by Water Resource Division–III, Udaipur, the contractor was tasked with fortifying nearly 1,200 meters of riverbank stretching from Netaji Subhash Bridge through Loknath Ashram to Ramkrishna Ashram.
On-site inspections reveal a stark mismatch between official documents and actual work. Large portions of the newly placed boulders have already collapsed into the river, even before the monsoon season. While some sections feature strong concrete blocks, others are filled with small, fragile, and poor-quality stones highlighting glaring inconsistencies in construction standards.
Experts point out that effective riverbank protection requires proper slope, solid base, and tightly packed placement. Instead, wide gaps have been left between boulders, filled only with river sand and minimal cement. In several areas, the necessary slope toward the river has not been constructed.
More troubling allegations suggest that contractors are extracting sand directly from the riverbank to manufacture the boulders themselves. Locals sarcastically compare the process to “offering prayers with the same water,” accusing authorities of turning a river protection project into a multi-crore scam.
Residents fear that these weak structures will not withstand the force of the Gomati’s waters. Yet, many remain silent out of fear of powerful contractors and administrative pressure.
The role of Water Resource Division–III officials has come under sharp scrutiny. As per government rules, the division is responsible for monitoring quality standards. Despite a performance guarantee of ₹33.87 lakh deposited by the contractor, the poor execution raises questions about oversight and accountability.
Locals allege that crores of rupees have already sunk into corruption, and demand a high-level technical audit and vigilance inquiry. Key questions remain unanswered: Who approved the quality of work? Who passed the bills? Why was supervision so lax?
The Gomati River project is part of Rs 22.7 crore scheme. Observers warn that if such irregularities continue, the initiative may end up as yet another major financial scandal rather than a genuine effort to save the river.
