No lessons learnt: 35-metre breach in Narmada canal network,third major occurrence within a year

Authorities say the breach occurred because of clogging of the canal siphon with agricultural waste. SSNNL Superintendent Engineer B N Rathod,who is in-charge of the canal network in the region,said: “The 35-mt wide breach occurred because of overflow in the canal network,which itself was the result of clogging of the canal siphon with agricultural waste.”

But they have little to say on the routine pre-monsoon maintenance exercise,which is to be carried out on the canal network.

Unlike the Mehsana incident,no loss of life was reported,but this was one of the several breaches that had occurred in the Narmada Canal Network,the third within a year’s time.

SSNNL Managing Director R K Tripathi said: “No loss to any of the neighbouring farms has been reported.” He said the breached canal portion was constructed in 2003 and had not faced any problem up till now. He also gave a clean chit to the contractors.

The canal leads to Rajkot,Jamnagar and Kutch.

Meanwhile,SSNNL Chairman N V Patel absolved his officials of any wrong-doing.

He said: “The Operation and Maintenance department of SSNNL,which is responsible for maintaining the canal network,is very efficient. But it is impossible to prevent such breaches because of overflowing.”

On being asked if the Operation and Maintenance department should be made responsible for maintaining the canal,he said: “They were doing their work. But,it was impossible for them to stop overflow,which led to this incident.”

Shambhuprasad Tundiya,the local MLA from Dasada also denied of any loss to property. He visited the spot on Saturday morning. He said: “Luckily,the breached spot had a nearby natural drain,which carried away the overflowing water. The repair work has already started and is expected to be completed by Sunday evening.”