Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Mar 25: Praveen Kumar Shetty representing Sri Durgaparameshwari Constructions, to which the Varahi canal work was given on contract, and also officials of the department have filed separate police complaints relating to cracks appearing in Varahi canal at Molahalli Basabail in the taluk resulting in overflowing and wasting of large quantum of water on the night of March 23 besides resulting in heavy loss.
Shetty said in his complaint that the disaster happened at the spot because of damage to the temporary bund erected at the beginning of the 23rd km of Varahi left bank canal where works were continuing.
"The work on the main canal of Varahi project that passes through Basabail was given to me through online tender between 22 and 23rd km of the canal. For continuing the work, a temporary bund was to be built at the beginning of the 22nd km as per the instructions the department. Accordingly, two solid bunds were built at the beginning of 22nd km on this canal. When we were preparing for these bunds, obstacles were created on the night of March 23. In the past too miscreants have indulged in mischief like this, and a complaint had been filed in this regard on May 9 last year. But nothing had been done," Praveen Kumar Shetty said in his complaint to Kota police station.
Varahi project officials too have filed another complaint, saying that they are facing problems in feeding water to the canals as vested interests have been creating bottlenecks in maintenance works repeatedly. The concerned are also creating problem for the department in executing the Varahi project, they stated.
In view of the fact that the project has been inordinately delayed and the walls of the canals are often getting breached and facing other problems, the officials have to come out with full facts of the incidents honestly and see that the problem is addressed once for all to ensure that the public money put into this project does not go waste.