Imphal, July 17 2009: The breach at eastern canal of the Khuga Dam has been caused due to released of the water before properly seasoned the earth making the canal owing to heavy demand by the farmers, said state food and civil supply minister, N Biren in the House of the state Assembly today.

The breach did not caused much damaged, the minister added replying to the call attention motion move by opposition MLAs, O Joy and T Hangkhalian in the House during zero hour.

They expressed concerned over the third time breach at the canal component of the dam located in Churachandpur district.

Moving the motion MLa, T Hangkhalian blamed the state government for not able to complete the Khuga project and hand over to the people even silver jubilee of the construction of the dam can be celebrated.

He recalled and said that the first instant of breaching of the canal occurred on July 9 last year.

The same breach of the canal occurred once again in June this year.

The recent breach occurred on July 14 was the fourth time.

Owing to the breach many fish rearing ponds of the villagers have been submerged and they feel apprehension of repeated breaching of the canals and causing huge damage to their properties.

In order to know whether quality was maintained by the engineers and contractors at the time of construction of the canal, he demanded to conduct an enquiry by constituting a house committee.

MLA O Joy who also participated in moving the motion observed that the Khuga Dam is one of the oldest projects taken up in the state which could not give benefit to the people till date.

As the recent breach of the embankment of the canal was not the first of its kinds but third time, the department concern should clarified whether it was caused by overflow of the water above the holding capacity or due to lack of quality control.

In reply to the call attention, IFCD minister, N Biren said the breach of the canal was occurred due to the taking out of earth from the field adjacent to the canal which caused unable to bear pressure when the water released.

The embankment was done during the period of previous government.

In the construction of the canal there was shadowed of lack of supervision from the higher authority.

There was instant of farmer banning taking of earth from their fields knowing the future consequents.

Such breach at the canal embankment are likely to occurred in the future too, he said adding that in the past none of the higher authority took interest in repairing the canals.

The actual wide of the canal is three metre and the water holding capacity of the right canal is 5.30 cc and that of left canal is 1.70 cc.

The released of the water to the canal was on trial basis on the demand of the farmer to irrigate their fields to counter with the scarcity of water in their fields.

Taking serious note, his department is always remained on strict vigil and due to some flaw in supervising the construction works, Biren added.

The breach has been repaired by the department using bull dozer and works not to cause much damage by the breach of the embankment is on hectic effort.

Measures have also taken up to detect any leaking at the embankments, he added.

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