Rs 2-crore regulator declared unsafe, farmers seek probe

Raj Sadosh

Abohar, February 5

The head regulator that was built on a minor attached to the Gang canal near Sriganganagar for Rs 2 crore last year has been declared unsafe.

Farmers allege the structure was built with sub-standard material and its design was poor. Gang Canal Superintending Engineer HL Meena confirmed that show-cause notices had been issued to three superintending engineers, two executive engineers, two assistant engineers and a junior engineer. The charge sheets have now been sent to the state headquarters for approval.

A warning has been written on the bridge cautioning commuters against crossing it. The authorities said they had no funds to demolish the structure.

Not satisfied with the departmental action, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti today wrote to Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Chief Secretary, demanding a Vigilance probe into the matter.

Samiti spokesman Subhash Sehgal alleged nearly Rs 2 crore had been bungled and that criminal cases should be registered against the erring officials.

Officials at the headquarters have so far not decided to demolish the structure, but drawings are being prepared to construct a new head regulator on a sub-canal near Kaluwala village.

The construction of the head regulator was started by Water Resources Department with much fanfare in 2013. It was completed in April, 2015.

When farmers’ organisation raised questions over the quality of the construction, a probe was launched. Preliminary investigation reportedly indicated that the design of the structure was incorrect with cracks appearing in the side and the wing walls. The floor was constructed with bricks instead of cement and concrete. Attempts to pass water through the regulator failed last year due to design issues.

Irrigation Minister Dr Ram Pratap Sahu last year ordered a probe. Three probe committees were formed in the past seven months with two of them saying the design was wrong and the third declaring it unsafe.