Minister reviews strengthening of dhussi bundh at Mandala Chhana

Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Thursday visited Mandala Chhana village to review the strengthening work of the vulnerable dhussi bundh. The work is being carried out by the Drainage Department with the support of hundreds of volunteers, and Army personnel.

Accompained by MP Balbir Singh Seechewal and Additional Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh, the minister visited the site and lauded the efforts of all those working hard to secure this crucial embankment along the Sutlej. Even though the water inflow is less, the river current was high and it was constantly hitting and eroding the bundh that the volunteers have been building for the past few days. The officials suspect that the sudden flow of water towards the bundh could be because of use of machinery in Ferozepur on the opposite banks of the river.

Congress MLA Hardev S Laddi Sherowalia said even as the flow of water was just about 25,000 cusecs, the river water had been percolating from across the bundh. The villagers have also deployed pumps to throw back this water into the river.

Minister Goyal told the teams that there is no shortage of resources for this vital task, as the government has already taken all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted supply of materials and manpower. He appreciated the relentless efforts of the administration and Army, SDRF while particularly lauding the spirit of volunteers who have joined hands to protect the region from a potential flood-like situation. He also said that the strengthening work would further be carried out once water level was receded here.