THOUBAL, August 18: Farmers of Wangjing area are dejected as 30 feet long cracks have appeared on both sides of the main canal of the yet to be inaugurated Wangjing Mini Barrage in Thoubal district constructed on the Wangjing River.
The mini barrage has been constructed under the Minor Irrigation department.
Representatives of the All Wangjing Development Organisation along with media persons took a tour of the site today.
The cracks are at about 100 meter distance from the dam.
It is also learnt that about a year ago, 15 feet long cracks had appeared just ten feet far from the dam.
During close checking of the damaged portion it was found that quality was not maintained during construction of the canal.
Later, the organisation’s joint secretary Chongtham Suranjoy told the media that the dam is being constructed under the NLCPR by the State Minor Irrigation department.
The construction of the dam had brought much happiness to the farmers of the area, he said and added construction is about 80 percent complete now.
However, the cracks on the main canal visible today have demoralised the farmers, he said.
Now it is clear that the contractors had not maintained quality during its construction, which is really unfortunate, he told the media team.
He further warned that unless the department authorities come and inspect the damaged part and start reconstruction by August 25, the organisation will join hands with local clubs and others to completely dismantle the main canal.
Suranjoy further observed that the authorities should also inspect the side wing of the dam at Heituppokpi.
He said during the initial stages of construction, locals had complained to the local MLA Paonam Brojen that cracks had appeared as the contractors were not following the government permitted proportion rule while mixing concrete.
Following the complaint, the MLA had instructed the then EE, Thoubal division to properly inspect the construction, he said.
The EE had instructed the concerned contractors to reconstruct the portions where cracks had already appeared, he continued.
However, the contractors had continued with the construction without listening to the EE’s directive, he said.
