Lucknow: The Kaudiyala in UP’s Bahraich became the river of sorrow when it swallowed nine villagers when they were crossing it in a boat on Oct 29 last year. The journey was a forced one since the 136 families living on the edge of the river in Bharthapur village had no access to roads and floods was an annual event.However, the CM-led state cabinet on Thursday decided to oar them to safety with a rehabilitation plan.
The relocation, ordered by the Chief Minister, includes land allotment, housing under PMAY, and essential civic infrastructure to ensure long-term stability for the displaced community.The boat tragedy was declared a disaster by state authorities. The CM visited the village on Nov 2 and met with the affected families and announced a comprehensive rehabilitation package, including land for housing, infrastructure development, and essential amenities for sustainable resettlement.Bahraich district administration in coordination with various departments has earmarked 1.7 hectares of land in Semarhana gram panchayat, under Mihinpurwa tehsil, to serve as the new residential zone for the displaced families. The land consists of six plots will be allocated free of cost to the affected families.Each of the 136 families will be allotted a 748 square foot residential plot (22×34 feet). The construction of homes will be carried out under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, supervised by the rural development department. The resettlement site will also include basic civic infrastructure—roads, electricity, drinking water facilities, and sanitation—developed by the Public Works Department and Jal Jeevan Mission. Under the plan, housing will be provided through central and state govt schemes, including PM Awas Yojana and Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana. In addition to homes, the govt will ensure the provision of essential amenities such as roads, electricity, drinking water, internet, drainage, and other basic facilities through the rural development department, Jal Jeevan Mission, and other related agencies. For the families whose original homes were on forest land, the forest department will provide necessary rehabilitation packages.
