Muktsar, July 13
The rainy season has just begun and the Chandbhan drain, which has the highest water carrying capacity in the region, is posing a threat to the lives of those staying nearby. Reason: There is hardly any check on illegal soil excavation that is being carried out along the drain. As a result, the embankments of the drain have started weakening, sharply decreasing its water carrying capacity.
The drain has a capacity of 13,000 cusecs of water and falls into the Sutlej in Fazilka district. It passes from Faridkot, Muktsar and Fazilka districts. While travelling along the drain, it was observed that the level of the banks had considerably gone down. At some places, some cracks were also seen.
Some residents of nearby villages said: “The illegal soil excavation is a routine here. Nobody seems to be bothered to take action. If there is heavy rainfall, the drain will definitely overflow.”
They said the drain had overflowed once in 2018 and caused widespread damage.
Swaranjeet Kaur, SDM, Muktsar, said: “I inspected some drains recently. Now, I will inspect the Chandbhan drain as well. Meanwhile, I will seek a report from the drainage officials as well.”
Muktsar: Illegal digging along drain poses threat
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