Roadway Terre-Rouge/Verdun: Litigation around "Damage" to Plantations

If the recent heavy rains have been beneficial for our tanks, they were negative for fifty planters Heart-breaker. The latter believe that the work done by the firm Colas / Bouygues are not foreign to the thing. A situation that would have led some farmers to abandon their crops.

A Dafi Media team was on site for observation. It is a scene of desolation. Under a blazing sun, farmers joined together to shout their rebellion. They say they are uncomfortable to plow their land and meet their needs. Infrastructure built here and there gave way under the pressure of the water (see photo). " Nou fine vine bane indé­sirables. Kan alle guet Colas li dir alle guet Road Develop­ment Autho­rity. Zot fine faire bane travaux cot zot fine dévier ène la rivière naturelle. Aster nou ki bisin subir conséquences "growls Jagdish R. who grows vegetables on 18 acres.

Development work would, according to farmers, caused the diversion of a stream. Therefore, in the rainy season, water invades plantations damaging crops. However, they argue, the Road Development Authority (RDA) had recommended the construction of a "retaining wall" to contain the runoff. In addition, farmers (the cons) have easier access to their plantations. Earthworks have 'cut' some fields, mud walls of several tens of meters high stand as a bulwark. " Ena planteurs pé bisin marse plusieurs kilomètres pou alle dans zot caro. Zot dire pas zot problème ça. Depuis deux ans, éna planteur pa pé travail. Couma zot pou nourri zot famille ?"Asks Prem, a farmer.

Last week, farmers have written to the Agriculture Research and Extension Unit (Areu) to express their grievances. They demanded a meeting with the authorities. They are even considering other actions (including a hunger strike) to be heard.

A little further, Premila shows his fate. The widow of 50 years was on the l’antenne d’Xplik ou K last week to explain his situation. In 2011, she had recourse to the Agricultural Mechanical Pool (against payment of Rs 19,000) to level the ground. This year, with all the upheaval occurring on the site, she does not know how to equalize the two acres of land under cultivation. "The work has just devastated. Impossible to grow vegetables. I incurred Rs 200,000 loss. Runoff invaded my land. My plantations have suffered. This is the first time it happens, "she cries.

Asked for comment, a representative of the firm Colas, met on site, did not wish to respond. He referred us to the GDR (see release below).

Disappointment!

Planters disaster Heart-breaker can not see as a good thing the authorities' decision to import vegetables to avoid a shortage on the market as a result of torrential rains. To this end, the Ministry of Agro-Industry has granted a license to seven importers. 470 tonnes of vegetables are imported by April: 250 tonnes of carrots, cabbage 150 tonnes, 50 tonnes of cauliflower and 20 tons of green beans. " Zot pé importe légumes, alors ki éna plusieurs planteurs pas pé capave travail à cause bane travaux. Si zot ti guet nou situation, pa ti bisin même importé légumes"they ranting.

RDA: "No formal complaint"

Requested by the Daily Challenge, a project manager of the Road Development Authority said not to be aware of this problem. And to date, no planter has been in contact with this forum to discuss any problems. "I can reassure you that our road project Creve-Heart has not, in any way, affected their plantations. No passage was blocked. While farmers have petitioned, they should always leave a phone number to contact them. I will arrange a meeting with them to find a solution, "says the manager of this project.