Probe finds canal not cleaned properly

Raj Sadosh

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Abohar, May 1

The inspection carried out on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Rajasthan Irrigation Minister Dr Ram Pratap Sahu today indicated that the Gang (Bikaner) canal had not been cleaned properly during the month-long closure. The pressure valves too had not been plugged properly.

The team from Rajasthan comprised of Executive Engineers Satya Narain Jyani, Bhawani Shanker Sharma and retired engineer Ram Pratap Bhakar. The officials from Punjab included Sukhbir Mundi, Executive Engineer, Canals, and Gurdial Singh, Superintending Engineer, Drainage.

It was reportedly found that leakage continued through the valves which had been repaired in the recent past. Farmers demanded that all the valves and adjacent pipes should be plugged to facilitate cultivation across 2,000 acres hit by waterlogging. Rajasthan faced transit loss of up to 400 cusecs due to leakage and poor maintenance.

Kisan Sangharsh Samiti spokesman Subhash Sehgal complained that the Gang canal was closed on April 4 and water was to be released on May 5, but the canal bed was yet to be cleaned.

The Rajasthan Government had paid Rs 2.15 crore to Punjab for maintenance work. Now, the latter has demanded Rs 2.50 crore more for the work. The officials will submit the inspection report to their respective governments soon.