Raj Sadosh
Abohar, April 15
With Gang Canal closed for annual maintenance (till April 20), major water theft has come to the fore. A loss of up to 500 cusecs of water in transit from Ferozepur to Sriganganagar has been observed.
Water supply from Balawala headworks originating from Harike Barrage has been completely shut off for repair works. As a result, water on Khakhan headworks located on Rajasthan-Punjab border has also reduced to a great extent.
As the water receded, two teams observed the Gang Canal in Punjab. One team moved from Khakhan to Jodhewala headworks and the second team moved towards bridge connecting 45 RD.
At many places water theft was detected with beneficiaries using pipes, motors, solar fans and augers. Near Islamewala village some farmers had installed motors to steal water by using solar panels.
Officials of the Rajasthan Water Resources Department and the Punjab Irrigation Department met at Jodhewala bridge and discussed about ongoing works.
Harvinder Singh Gill, chairman, Gang Canal Project, said, “The Punjab Irrigation Department has started issuing work orders for the project. A monitoring committee of farmers has been formed. Maintenance, repair and cleaning will be done first. In the last phase, pipes, motors and other equipment used for water theft will be removed.”
Ongoing maintenance work bares water theft in Gang Canal
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