Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an inspection of the Gram Panchayat Devipura in the Banbasa area of Champawat district on Saturday.
During his visit, locals raised concerns about severe erosion caused by the Sania drain and the presence of crocodiles in the water body, which has created widespread fear and insecurity in the region, according to an official statement.
Taking immediate cognizance of the issue, CM Dhami instructed officials from the Forest and Irrigation Departments to act without delay. Acting on his directives, a JCB machine was deployed within an hour, and the drain cleaning work was swiftly initiated and completed by the Irrigation Department.
Emphasising the urgency of addressing such risks, Dhami said, "The safety of the public is paramount, and the administration should take prompt and effective action to deal with such dangers." He further directed authorities to carry out regular monitoring to ensure the drain remains safe and well-maintained.
Later, the Chief Minister also inspected the road leading to the India-Nepal border in Banbasa. Residents of Devipura expressed their gratitude for his swift response and thanked him for prioritising their safety.