Ex-Speaker blames AAP for ‘neglect’ of Anandpur Sahib hydel canal

Senior Congress leader and former Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Rana KP Singh, today lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for what he termed “gross neglect” of the Anandpur Sahib hydel canal and “indifference” towards the plight of Bhabhor village in Nangal.

Addressing a press conference in Nangal, Rana alleged that the state government had failed to maintain the Anandpur Sahib hydel canal, leading to serious risks during the recent monsoons. He said that earlier, nearly 300 workers were deployed to maintain the canal, for a stretch of around 40 km. “Now, there are only four labourers left to look after the entire canal. This negligence has resulted in damage to the canal’s structure at several locations,” he said.

The weakened canal infrastructure posed a grave danger to nearby villages. “Had it not been for the proactive approach of local residents, the damage could have been catastrophic, even threatening the Nangal hydel canal of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB),” he said.

Rana accused the AAP government of failing to protect the residents of Bhabhor village from landslide threats along the Nangal Dam lake. He said the previous Congress government had sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for constructing a retaining wall to safeguard the area. However, he claimed that the present regime did not allow the Bhabhor panchayat to utilise the funds.

“Had the retaining wall been constructed in time, the villagers would not be living under the shadow of danger today,” Rana said, urging the government to immediately release funds to save Bhabhor village from further damage.

Rana said the safety of the infrastructure and lives in the downstream areas were non-negotiable and demanded urgent intervention by the state government in the matter. “The AAP cannot absolve itself of this criminal neglect. Protecting canals and saving habitations should be the priority,” he said.