Farmers rue delayed repair work of Ghaggar embankments

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 29

To prevent a breach which happened in July last year, the district administration has begun to strengthen and upgrade the embankments of seasonal river Ghaggar in Andana block. However, many area residents have questioned as to why the embankments weren’t fully repaired last year after the breach was plugged?

“With the rainy season imminent, the repair work has already been delayed. Had the authorities been serious, they would have repaired all embankments last year only. There are also chances of misappropriation of money released for repair work,” said Gagan, a farmer.

Troubled by flooding in the area, some farmers have demanded a permanent solution to the problem. They also questioned why the authorities woke up to the problem when the rainy season is round the corner? The farmers said the state government should not allow misappropriation of money.

Last year, standing crops suffered damage in many villages, including Bushehra, Hamirgarh, Bhundar Bhaini Surjan Bhaini, Makraud Sahib, Kadail, Salemgarh, Moonak A, Moonak B, Phulad, Nawagaon, Hotipur, Banga, Andana, Banarasi, Shahpurtheri, Chandu, Mandvi A and Mandavi B.

Some senior officers said they had been using the government’s money in strengthening and upgrading of banks of seasonal river Ghaggar to prevent any problem in the forthcoming rainy season.

“A grant of Rs1.10 crore has already been sanctioned for the purpose and more funds can also be disbursed if the need arises. Keeping in view the last year’s breach in Ghaggar at Phulad village, the district administration has pressed all available options for strengthening the banks of river. MGNREGA workers have also been working continuously to repair the banks of Ghaggar in various villages,” said DC Ghanshyam Thori.