CHANDIGARH: Speculations about the resumption of construction of Satluj Yamuna link canal following floating of tenders were Set at rest on Sept.10 with the Punjab government denying any Proposal to start the work.
What triggered the speculation about the resumption of construction work on this controversial canal which is to carry water to and from Punjab rivers was the decision of the project authorities to invite tenders worth about Rs 2 crores recently.
Earlier, the decision of the govemment to beef up security at the main offices of SLY canal project in the city and Mohali had led to apprehension about resumption of its construction. Construction of this canal was suspended a few years ago after the gunning down of its chief engineer.
SYL canal chief engineer Kuldeep Singh Sidhu said during recent floods, diversion approaches to bridges, drainage Crossings, culverts and siphons at many places were washed away.
The breaches in the canal at many places were causing a lot of inconvenience to the people of the surrounding villages. Keeping in view of the difficulty, repairs to the damaged works and breaches was being done on priority to provide proper approaches and crossings.
He said there was no proposal to resume its construction nor there were funds available for this purpose, The canal has been extensively damaged and the damage is many times more than the amount for which the tenders have been invited, It is learned that the work is being resumed to repair the damage on the instructions of Chief Minister Beant Singh.
However, Sidhu did not explain the necessity of beefing up security. The decision to Strengthen the security for the project offices and senior officers was taken a few weeks earlier.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 17, 1993
