Canal built without a real water source; villagers deprived of irrigation benefits for years
Mail News Service
Potka: A glaring example of government fund misuse has emerged from Dokarsai village, where an irrigation canal built at a cost of Rs 4.5 lakh from the MLA fund has failed to serve its purpose. Intended to irrigate 35 acres of farmland, the 400-feet-long canal has remained ineffective since its construction in 2021-22.
The project was executed by NREP Jamshedpur under the local MLA development fund, aiming to divert mountain water into a pond and then to nearby fields. However, ground realities contradict the plan. The designated “pond” is actually a shallow 2–3 feet pit with no permanent water source and no river nearby. Although water flows during the monsoon from a hill 300 meters away, the canal’s path doesn’t align with the natural water course.
Further, substandard construction materials were reportedly used. Government guidelines mandate the use of red bricks, but black bricks of inferior quality were used instead. Locals allege that construction norms were blatantly ignored, compromising the project’s durability and functionality.
Both implementing departments—Special Division and NREP Jamshedpur—have distanced themselves from the failed scheme, citing its age. DDC Aniket Sachan stated that the responsibility lies with engineers from the executing agency and that an inquiry is underway.
Notably, no details of the estimated cost or executing agency were inscribed on the scheme’s stone plaque—raising questions about transparency.
“Water reaches the canal only during rains. If a proper pond is built where the water naturally flows, the canal could be useful year-round,” said Sona Ram Bhumij, village head.
For now, the canal stands as a symbol of poor planning, lack of oversight and wasted public funds.
