Debris from Bhama Askhed pipeline work still in Indrayani at Dehu despite notice; Yelwadi farmers hit

Debris dumped in the Indrayani river during work on the Bhama Askhed water pipeline project at Dehugaon has still not been removed. Dehu Nagar Panchayat had served a notice on Jawale Construction to clear the debris and restore the river to its earlier state. The debris is still lying there, and it is now plainly visible because the river's water level has dropped. Citizens are therefore demanding that the nagar panchayat act against the contractor.

There is a bridge within Dehu Nagar Panchayat limits between Sai Chowk and Wadacha Mal. The work of laying the pipeline near this bridge under the Bhama Askhed project had been assigned to Jawale Construction. During the work, large quantities of soil, stones and murram were dumped in the river. Deep excavation was also carried out inside the river with a JCB.

After the pipeline work was completed, the debris dumped in the river and the leftover construction material had to be removed completely. It is alleged that the contractor removed only some of the soil and piled it along the riverbank. The rest of the soil and remaining material in the river was not removed. Now that the water has receded, the debris inside the river has become visible in the open.

Local residents say the debris is altering the natural flow of the Indrayani. As a result, water is entering fields in the Yelwadi area and farmers are suffering losses, they complain. In June, heavy rain brought floods in the Indrayani. The flood water also washed the soil dumped on the bank back into the river, which has made the question of removing the debris more serious.

On June 24, 2026, the nagar panchayat issued a notice directing the contractor to immediately remove the debris, construction material and other remains from the river and clean it. The work was to be completed within two days of receiving the notice. The contractor was also ordered to submit a compliance report with photographs to the nagar panchayat.

The notice also stated that if the debris and construction material were not removed, the river's natural flow could be obstructed. It made clear that it is the contractor's responsibility to remove all remains from the river and restore it to its earlier condition. Even so, the state of the site suggests the contractor paid no heed to the notice.

Citizens of Dehugaon and farmers of Yelwadi are now watching to see what action the nagar panchayat takes against the contractor for not following the notice. They are also watching whether the administration will itself step in to restore the river.