Broken wall along Sirhind canal poses danger

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 30

The broken boundary wall and fragile embankment along the Sirhind canal is posing a threat to the residents but the district administration has not initiated action in this regard.

As the spot where the wall is broken is on the T-point in front of the Santpura road, there is a major likelihood of accident at night.

The rains can further weaken the embankments. Within a week is a festival of Ganesh Chaturthi when a large number of people would come to the Sirhind canal for the immersion of Ganesha idols.

It seems that the district administration has not learnt any lesson from the breach incidents that occurred in the past.

Several breaches caused much loss to crops and houses of residents. Even the possibility of another breach taking place anytime in future cannot be ruled out.

While the danger of another breach in the canal looms large, two plans, which were under discussion to repair the canal side walls, never saw the light of the day.

As per one of the plans, the Irrigation Department chalked out the procedure to begin the repair work.

Later, the Bathinda Development Authority offered to release an amount of Rs 40 crore for the work. Like the earlier plan, this too never took wings.

An official of the Irrigation Department said, “It is a big project and we need grants from the government to initiate the work.”

MM Behl, a city resident, said the condition of the Sirhind canal embankments and boundary wall was pathetic.

He demanded that district administration should immediately repair the boundary wall before Ganesh Chaturthi.

Another resident Aseem Kumar said it was a serious matter and the administration should initiate work on it on priority basis. Almost every year, incidents of people drowning in the canal are reported but no action has ever been taken, he added.