Rats have severely damaged a stretch of the Sirhind Canal bank opposite the VIP Lake View Guest House in Bathinda, where Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stays during visits.
The damage has raised fears of a possible breach.
The affected section, within municipal limits, has developed wide cracks and a partially collapsed concrete lining as hundreds of rats burrowed deep into the canal bank. Residents said cracks first appeared five-six months ago and have steadily widened, leaving parts of the side wall broken.
Nearby, portions of the retaining wall around the defunct thermal power plant’s lake have also been damaged by rat activity. Hundreds of burrows are visible along both the canal bank and the lakefront. With the rainy season approaching, locals fear the weakened structure could collapse under rising water pressure.
“It is surprising that senior officers keep visiting this area because the Chief Minister frequently stays at the VIP Lake View Guest House, yet the authorities have turned a blind eye,” said Rohit Garg, a resident.
Officials near the canal regulator gates blamed the problem on people feeding birds and animals along the canal and lake. “Locals regularly feed them, encouraging rats to dig burrows. We have appealed to the public not to feed them and even painted warnings, but nobody listens,” an official said.
Jagmeet Singh Bhaker, Executive Engineer, Sirhind Canal, Bathinda, confirmed the damage. “The bank has been damaged due to rat burrows. We will reduce the canal’s water level over the next two-three days. Once the water recedes, repairs will be carried out,” he added.
