Inderjeet Singh Goraya, national spokesperson of the Kisan Congress, urged Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Irrigation Minister and senior officials of the Irrigation Department to reopen the damaged and closed siphon located beneath the SYL and Bhakra canal near Bodsham village under Nigdhu sub-tehsil before the monsoon season.
In his letters addressed to the CM, Irrigation Minister and senior officials, Goraya said the siphon was originally constructed for the drainage of floodwater, but its closure has been causing severe problems for farmers in the region.
He said that due to the blocked siphon, floodwater fails to drain out during heavy rainfall, leading to waterlogging and extensive crop damage every year in several nearby villages.
He alleged that affected farmers have been demanding the reopening or reconstruction of the siphon for the past several years, but the Irrigation Department has only been giving assurances without taking any concrete action.
He further said that although the Bhakra canal is currently being relined and strengthened, the authorities continue to ignore the damaged siphon.
“It is beyond understanding why the siphon is being deliberately ignored despite the ongoing canal work. We demand that the government consider our demand,” he said.
He also warned that if crops suffer losses again this year due to the blocked siphon, the concerned officials would be held responsible. He also said that compensation claims would be filed against the responsible authorities in case of damage to farmers’ crops.
He urged the CM and Irrigation Minister to either repair the existing siphon or construct a new one at the earliest to provide relief to residents and farmers of the area before the rainy season begins.
When asked, a senior official, on the condition of anonymity, said that the issue is in the notice of the department.
“The department is planning a new siphon with more capacity for the larger interest of the farmers,” he added.
