Capt Amarinder questions changing stance of CWC

Quoting the report dated January 25,2007 prepared by Bajaj,the PCC president said that at that time,Bajaj had observed: “The apprehension of the flooding is not connected to the capacities of the siphons. This was quite evident during the site visit on 01.12.2006 and the officials of the government of Haryana accompanying on the visit also agreed. In fact,they have agreed at the site as well as in their written submission to amelioration measures by way of providing cross drainage works across the line of the canal.”

Bajaj had added: “It is felt that even without lifting the flood waters from Ghaggar,the exiting flow conditions in the area can be retained in case Haryana is able to provide adequate number of cross drainage works across the line of the canal so that the sheet flow of flood waters as existing before the construction of the BML-MPLC (Hansi-Butana Canal) can be maintained.”

Amarinder said that it was clear from Bajaj’s findings that siphons and cross-drainage works were needed across the line of the canal. “But the Haryana government,instead of making the siphons and building cross-drainage channels,has constructed a concrete wall along the canal that will totally block the Ghaggar water and cause devastating floods in parts of Patiala,Mansa and Sangrur districts,” he added.

While the canal runs from west to east,Ghaggar and the Patiala Nadi flow from north to south. The construction of the canal itself has led to the blockade of water from these two rivers and now a concrete toe wall will further block water,resulting in floods,said Amarinder.

Expressing surprise over Bajaj’s change in stand,he said: “I am surprised how your opinion could change in a matter for four years. This simply amounts to misleading the hon’ble court.”