Sukhna still not ready for desilting: Experts

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 24

While the UT Department of Engineering is all set to finalise the tender for desilting Sukhna Lake, experts said it was still not ready for it.

As per the experts, though dry patches have surfaced following a dip in the water level, it is still not possible to use an earth-moving machine for desilting. They said the wetness below the dry patches and lower water level at various places would make the job difficult.

GS Dhillon, former Chief Enginee-cum-Director, Irrigation and Power Research Institute, Amritsar, said the Administration must wait till the lake dried further. He said instead of desilting, the Administration should start cleaning the catchment area as directed by the High Court so that it received the maximum water in mansoon.

Notably, the department has received bids for desilting, which will be finalised soon. Meanwhile, the Administration has also decided to form a fresh committee with representatives from the UT, Punjab and Haryana on directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The court has asked the Chandigarh Administration to constitute a fresh committee to solve the problem. The HC also asked the Administration to ensure cleaning of water channels for a smooth flow of water. The water level in the lake further reduced today. It was recorded at 1152.62 ft.