Fields inundated, dept awaits funds for water-lifting pumps

More than two weeks have passed since a huge chunk of agricultural land at Pakki Tibbi village in the Lambi Assembly segment was inundated with rainwater, the Drainage Department is awaiting funds under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) to expedite the work to drain out water.

Paddy fields inundated with rainwater at Pakki Tibbi village in Muktsar.

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Pakki Tibbi (Muktsar), July 20

More than two weeks have passed since a huge chunk of agricultural land at Pakki Tibbi village in the Lambi Assembly segment was inundated with rainwater, the Drainage Department is awaiting funds under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) to expedite the work to drain out water.

Villagers said even if it rained once during the next few days, rainwater would enter residential area as well. “We are already facing scourge of poor drainage system. The paddy crop has been damaged in most of the agricultural land and now the rain will inundate our houses as well. The administration is carrying out the work at a slow pace. Though two-three water lifting pumps have been installed, these are insufficient,” said Swaranjit Singh, a farmer from the village.

He added, “During the previous SAD-BJP government, there was no dearth of funds for drainage works, but now the work is hampered. Last week, the ADC had come and the SDM visited the village on Thursday. However, the situation is yet to improve. Our village falls in low-lying area and gets inundated every year. The drain, which carries the water of some other villages, overflows here. A permanent solution must be found so that we do not face inconveniences anymore. The sub-surface drainage system installed in the village is also choked with mud.” Jugraj Singh Kabarwala, ex-president, Congress, Lambi block, said, “Some villages in Sarawan Zail always face monsoon fury. Villages like Sarawan Bodla, Kattianwali and Pakki Tibbi are the worst affected.”

On the other hand, Gurdial Singh, Superintending Engineer, Drainage, said, “We have sought nearly Rs 11 lakh from the district administration to install water lifting pumps at Pakki Tibbi village, but the money is yet to come. Though four-five water lifting pumps are already working, if it rains in the next two-three days, the rainwater may inundate the residential area as well. The demand was earlier sent to the DC about a week ago, but he got transferred. Now, our Executive Engineer is following it up with the authorities concerned. Even the SDM had visited the site.”