IMPHAL, July 24: The past few days of rainfall has already taken its toll as locals of Awang Sekmai found it the hard way this morning.
Locals found part of the Sekmai dam constructed over the Imphal River under the River Lift Irrigation (RLI) Scheme under the Minor Irrigation department has collapsed and carried away by the strong currents of the river.
Locals who have been raising the issue of cracks appearing on the dam for sometime said there was no quality control during construction of the dam.
Locals also deplored that none from the concerned department has tried to inspect the damage till late morning.
It may be mentioned that during the recent session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in the first week of this month, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had clarified on the reported cracks appearing on the dam.
Speaking on behalf of the Minor Irrigation department, the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had said the Sekmai Dam construction was started in the year 2011 under the RLI scheme under NEC funding at an estimated cost of Rs 4.22 crores.
During the last week of June, the dam was put on a trial basis and supplied water for irrigation even though the construction is not fully complete, he had said and added that due to the water current of the river, the lower portion (at ground level) acted as a spring, but now it has been filled up.
The Chief Minister had also informed the House that construction of the dam was looked after by the contractors and not fully handed over to the department and as such all responsibilities should lie with the contractors.
He had also observed that the Vigilance department has also taken up a case and inquiry against three department officials who were supervising the dam, and further asserted that no official who is found guilty will escape punishment.