Residents apprehensive, rush at site delays repairs

JANIAN CHAHAL (LOHIAN), August 23

While Rs 2 crore has been earmarked for bundh at the Janian Chahal village alone, the villagers expressed apprehension about the ongoing strengthening work of the river embankments. They claimed that they haven’t seen any major strengthening work of the bundh in the past over 31 years.

Meanwhile, the DC declared a unified collection and dispatch centre at Lohian, asking do-gooders to route all future food supplies there.

Ranjit Singh of Fatehpur village said, “Help has been pouring in from all sectors. A contractor has also been brought in. For 31 years, we have been watching the bundh level go down. Many contractors came but if they did a proper job, the bundh wouldn’t have been weak. We hope that this time, the work is carried out effectively.”

Another villager Salwinder Singh said, “We don’t want the same story to be repeated. The government should also clarify whether it’s the job of the Army or a contractor.”

DC Varinder Kumar said, “The bundh will be strengthened and the breach repaired with the help of Army men, contractors, MGNREGA workers as well as villagers. At present, we are busy handling the rush of Good Samaritans, who are killing the relief process. They are hindering the work.” — TNS