Bathinda, November 15 Canal breach has become a very common occurrence in Bathinda district.
On November 1, a distributary of the Sirhind Canal near Bhai Mati Das Nagar overflew its embankments. Its waters first entered the adjoining sewerage construction site and then into Bhai Mati Das Nagar. The breach was reported to be 10-12 feet wide.
A week later, on November 8, a 30-feet wide breach in the embankment of the Sirhind Canal affected several persons as the water gushed into houses and jhuggis on the outskirts of the city.
Again on November 12, a breach in the distributary of the canal outside village Burj Tharod and Dod near Bhagta Bhai in the district, added to the problems. The breach was said to be 15-feet wide, which inundated the nearby agricultural land.
On November 14, several hectares of agricultural were flooded as the waters of the Behman distributary canal breached the embankment. The flow of water was diverted to prevent it from entering NFL Colony.
The authorities have no straight answers for the reason behind the breach. Erosion of land, damaged roots of trees and foul play are all a possibility, they say. But officials of the irrigation department say, albeit on the condition of anonymity, that the department is not getting sufficient funds for the repair of embankments and de-silting that is urgently required.
Farmers in the area say that even when there is not much need, water level in the canal is high. So, the embankments need to be repaired.
Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari said that the inquiry has been marked to the ADC (Development). “But it will take a few more days to come up with a factual report,” he added.
Speaking on phone, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister, Punjab, said, “We have made a master plan which suggests that all the canals and drains in the state are in dire need of repair and de-silting. The plan has already been presented to the chief minister. Now the only issue is of generating funds. As soon as funds are generated, the process of repairing the canals will start on a war-footing.”
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