‘Technical fault’ renders new Rs2.54-cr pipeline inoperative in Gidderbaha

‘Technical fault’ renders new Rs2.54-cr pipeline inoperative

Project completed in 2013; leakage problems arose in trial phase itself

About the project

• The work of providing, laying and jointing of the 11,880-m underground pipeline for irrigational purposes at Lohara village in Gidderbaha was allotted in May 2011 for completion up to June 2011
• Later, due to the change of alignment of the project, the length of pipeline was increased from 11,880 m to 12,680 m, which increased the project cost fromRs 2.54 crore to Rs 2.69 crore
• The Comptroller and Auditor General has mentioned in the audit report that the pipeline could not be made operational due to a technical fault
• The Soil Conservation Officer, Gidderbaha, too reported last year that the pipeline was unfit for operation

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 7

The project of laying an 11,880-m underground pipeline for irrigational purposes at a cost of Rs 2.54 crore at Lohara village in Gidderbaha subdivision has proved out to be a mere wastage of money as it could not be made operational to date.

The project work started in 2011 and was complete in 2013. Thereafter, during its trial phase itself, the pipeline witnessed major leakage problems. The village panchayat even lodged a complaint to the Chief Minister, besides officials concerned in this regard.

Even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has mentioned in the audit report that the pipeline could not be made operational due to a technical fault.

The Soil Conservation Officer, Gidderbaha, too reported in July last year that the pipeline had some technical fault and was unfit for operation.

Notably, the work of providing, laying and jointing of the pipeline was allotted in May 2011 for completion up to June 2011. Later, due to change of alignment of the project, the length of pipeline was increased from 11,880 m to 12,680 m, which increased the project cost from Rs 2.54 crore to Rs 2.69 crore.

Virpal Kaur, sarpanch, Lohara village, said, “The beneficiaries had contributed 10 per cent amount of the total cost. The amount was paid in cash by farmers without even getting a loan against it. However, the selection of plastic pipe by the department and contractor resulted wastage of about Rs 2.5 crore.”

However, as per the CAG report, Mangal Singh Sandhu, Director, Agriculture Department, attributed the non-commissioning of the project to the dispute between the beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers and stated that the laying of pipeline was complete but its successful commissioning was yet to be accomplished. But, this reply was not accepted by the CAG, as mentioned in the report.

Courtesy: The Tribune