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Tribune report prompts govt to take note of �abandoned� project

By Correspondent - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

JORABAT, Sept 4 - A news report published in�The Assam Tribune�on the deplorable condition of the yet-to-be inaugurated Lungsorjuri Flow Irrigation Scheme at Sonaigaon under Sonapur Revenue Circle has prompted the Irrigation department to take this issue seriously.��

The Rs 5 crore project, which has been alleged as a big scam, was lying in an abandoned state, with the installed machinery gathering rust and a large part of the project area being covered with wild bushes.

The report headlined �Premature end of irrigation project under Dispur LAC� and published on September 3 in the paper has prompted the department concerned to immediately deploy a few labourers at the project site to remove bushes grown on the main section and the canals.�

After learning about the development, this correspondent visited the project site this morning and saw some workers cleansing rust on the machinery. The workers informed that they were asked to put a fresh coat of paint on the machinery.

Though some local people expressed hope that the project would be beneficial to the farmers, there were many who felt that the project would add to their woes.

Alleging that the project has added to their woes, a villager said, �We received a good amount of water for our fields before the project was constructed but now we are not getting water for our fields.��

It may be mentioned that prior to the project, people used to rely on the natural stream that passed through the fields throughout the year. However, the project, built on the natural stream flowing down the hill, has obstructed the flow of water.�

The local people have urged the government to order a high-level inquiry into it soon as they feel that a massive financial anomaly has taken place with the construction of the project.