Khaira Bet village returns to normalcy

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Khaira Bet/Manewal, August 19

Life is returning to normal pace at Khaira Bet village as untiring efforts of the district administration, Army men, villagers and volunteers from an NGO to strengthen the dhussi bundh have borne fruits. Though there has been no threat of floods at the village with an estimated population of about 3,500 people, still around 450 men will be at work round the clock for the next 10 days.

A visit to the areas by The Tribune team revealed that 3,300 feet wide Sutlej river was squeezed to about 300 feet at a few points from where trenches had appeared as the land on the other side (opposite) of the bundh was sold to private agriculturists and it became difficult to stop the velocity of the water.

During the massive exercise, about 1,000 poplar trees have been axed to strengthen the bundh. Out of these 1,000 trees, about 500 belonged to villagers, while others were axed from the forest land.

Satnam Singh, a villager, said trees were axed from his fields as well. He said the government had announced to provide compensation of Rs 1,000 for each tree. “But each tree costs us around Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000. But we are not complaining for the simple reason that if bundh was broken, floods would have occurred in Khaira Bet. Then not just the trees were gone but our houses/animals, etc would have got drowned. So, at the times of natural calamity, one should not think of adequate compensations, but should thank God for saving us,” the villager added.

The repair work of bundh has been given on contract to two contractors by the Irrigation Department. One contractor took over on August 11, while another on August 15. For the next 10 days, both the contractors will carry out the repair work. To stop the speedy flow of Sutlej, nine studs have been constructed at an area of about 250 feet. An area of 450 feet along the river has been damaged in Khaira Bet.

The Sub Divisional Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Gurpreet Pal Singh, said officials would be on duty (by rotation) throughout 24 hours for the next 10 days, till the repair work would be completed. “The flow of water hits severely at two-three points of the bundh, including Mattewara, Khaira Bet and Dhullewal near Machhiwara. It is good that not much rains occurred after August 13 and 14, otherwise it would have been difficult to manage things. The water level has come down to much relief to all,” the engineer added.

“Such a calamity took place in 2011 as well, but the bundh was repaired,” he added.

Gunny bags are being continuously filled with sand and stones by the workers to be kept in crates (huge sized iron nets, which are kept inside the water to slow-down the velocity of water). Kuljit, a worker, said: “When we get too tired, we go into the water and swim for some time and after a few minutes, we are again ready to work.”

Though the threat is over, still the officials from various departments regularly visit to ensure that the repair work was being done in the best possible manner.

Work comes first

"At present, we are focused on repairing the bundh. Money comes later. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Agarwal has been made the in charge to look into the financial matters. Even the Irrigation Department and the district administration will do the needful collectively." — Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Irrigation minister

Task accomplished

"By the grace of God and with the help extended by the volunteers of various departments and villagers, we were able to strengthen the bundh well in time. — Rajat Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana