A crucial canal project meant to supply water to residents and farmers has turned into a hazardous sewer, directly contaminating the city’s drinking water and causing the spread of diseases among the public.
The Rs 77 crore project to line the Jarwari Minor, a branch of the Jamrao Canal, was initiated three years ago with a two-year completion deadline. However, progress has been sluggish, with less than half of the construction work completed to date.
An official from the Irrigation Department stated today that the project is stalled due to administrative inaction. The department had reportedly sent a written request to the district administration to remove illegal encroachments from the canal’s banks, a mandatory step under court orders, but no action was taken.
Due to the lack of progress and oversight, the unlined canal has become a dumping ground for garbage. Numerous households in the vicinity have directed their sewerage pipes into the waterway, turning this water source into a filth-filled drain.
Exacerbating the public health crisis, this contaminated water from the Jarwari branch is being discharged into a water supply pond from which drinking water is supplied to the city’s residents. Furthermore, sources have indicated that there is also talk of large-scale corruption allegations in the stalled project.