LAMKA, June 23: Local residents have been repairing a collapsed stretch of the much neglected right side canal of the Khuga Dam since the past one week or so with support from their district council member.
The dam was inaugurated in 2003 by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Saikot ADC member Lalhriliana accompanied by a media team inspected the site where the locals led by the Khuga Right Side Canal Farmers Association are repairing the collapsed stretch of the canal.
The association had also collected Rs 200 per hectare of the 2000 hectare field running along the canal for the repairing work. They were also financially helped by the local ADC member.
Lalhrinliana said he had been championing the cause of the canal for the last five years as a gift to the farmers of his constituency.
He said over the last tenure, he had been meeting ministers, MLAs and others for repairing of the canal though there has been no positive action from the concerned authorities.
However, with support and co-operation from the locals, he said he will continue to urge the government to see reason.
The local MLA had asked him to start work with money from his own pocket, he said.
He said since the crops cultivated in the fields are seasonal, the farmers`™ productivity in the past years had been badly affected due to the yearly collapse of the canal.
Chairman of the Khuga Right Side Canal Farmers Association Vanlalrem of Saikot Village said the problem has become an annual ritual.
He continued the Singat MLA GS Haupu had asked them to gather money on their own and work which has already cost the farmers around Rs 3 lakhs. However, we have never been repaid, he added.
Vice chairman Zammang of Tuaitengphai village also lamented that they had already spent more than Rs 2 lakhs this year alone in the repairing works.
Now we are working on the 100 meter stretch which collapse recently with financial help from the MDC, he contiued.
He further complained that the collapse occur every year due to the sub standard work of the government contractor involved in the initial construction of the canal.
The farmers and the MDC have already approach the Minor Irrigation, IFCD and the concern chief engineers who have all given positive responses but no action till date.
Volunteers working on the repair work were villagers from Daizang Ngurte, Thenmual, Tuibul, Tuaitenngpha, Dumsau, Mualben Khopoibung, Valpakot, Khuangnung Saikot, Mualvaiphei and Rengkai.
A 100 meter stretch of the canal near Daizang Village and Ngurte Village had collapsed recently and the villagers have been working in rotation of 50 villagers a day for about a week, said the secretary of the association.
The work has been conducted with the collection from the villagers and Rs 40000 from the MDC and as of today 90 percent of the work is finished, said the secretary.