Sangrur: Rainwater harvesting wells develop cracks

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, April 13

Wells have developed cracks and interlocking tiles caved in within minutes of release of water in the rainwater harvesting project in Harkrishanpura village. The residents have demanded an inquiry into the matter.

They have also demanded a probe into Rs 5.63 crore spent under the project in 63 villages as they claim poor quality material has been used. “A well-managed loot of public money has been going on under the garb of the project. Wells developed cracks within minutes and interlocking tiles also caved in, confirming the use of poor-quality material. Apart from this village, we have received similar complaints from other villages also. The Punjab Government must register an FIR against the officials concerned,” said Narinder Kaur Bharaj, an Aam Aadmi Party leader.

As per the details, the work to construct the project in Harkishanpura started on January 12 this year for which the Rural Development and Panchayat Department spent Rs 17.48 lakh.

Some other area residents alleged a quick audit was a must to save crores of rupees going down the drain.

Executive Engineer of Panchayat Department Ranjit Singh Shergill denied all the allegations and said, “In Harkrishanpura, 90 per cent work has been done but sudden rain has created problems which led to cracks in the project. We have not received a complaint from any other village. We have completed ponds in 63 villages at the cost of Rs 5.63 crore. We will carry out repair work wherever required,” he said.

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