Authorities urged to fix floating barrier at Posta Ghat amid flood risk

Ganga's water level in Gajipur has crossed the danger threshold, leading the district administration to install floating barriers at five major ghats. At Posta Ghat, one segment of the barrier has been left hanging in the swift current for close to a week, posing a serious threat to the thousands who gather there for cremations and ritual bathing.

The project cost around five million rupees, approximately one million per ghat, and police were stationed on each site as per the collector's orders. However, residents argue that police presence alone does not assure safety when the barrier itself is compromised.

Local inhabitants report that the barrier's stable end is anchored to the ghat steps, while the loose end remains unsecured despite multiple complaints to municipal officials. A priest's attempt to inform the collector by phone was ignored, intensifying community anger. Images of the dangling barrier highlight shortcomings in emergency planning, and locals are demanding swift repairs and a comprehensive audit of all safety equipment.