Punjab Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon today said the irrigation department is working day and night to plug the breach in Bathinda branch of Sirhind canal and it was expected to plug the breach by tomorrow morning.
The minister said preliminary investigation indicated the breach occurred due to roots of the trees on the embankment of the river. He said it appeared that the roots had made their ways into the river, thus making the embankment hollow and further caused breach.
Sekhon said Chief Engineer, vigilanace would conduct an inquiry how the breach occured and if any negligence and laxity is found, stern action would be taken against the erring officers.
The Irrigation Minister said overflowing water had not caused any damage to the residential area but entered the agriculture fields of Beed Talab village.
Sekhon said the top officials of irrigation department are monitoring the process of plugging in of breach occurred in Bathinda.
He said that after the breach in the canal, the immediate demand was the reduction of water in the canal so as to avoid any loss to life and property.
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He said reduction of water in canal was immediately achieved by opening up the course of water into the distributaries and drains attached with Bathinda Branch.
About a 60-feet breach occured at Bathinda branch of Sirhind canal yesterday.