Getting the damaged Dhussi dam rebuilt by Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal at Gatta Mandi Kaso close to Dhakka Basti under Tehsil Lohia in Jalandhar has sparked controversy. Anger over this has been raised by the drainage department.
The Drainage Department claims that after the Dhussi dam collapsed, a contractor was hired to build a replacement. The contractor was working with his labour. However, in the meanwhile, the administration turned over its duties to Sant Seechewal when Dhussi work in Mandala Channa was finished. As a result, the contractor abandoned the project midway through and fled. Three letters from the Drainage Department accuse Sant Baba Seechewal of denying them permission to work. According to reports, a 925-foot section of the Dhussi dam at Gatta Mandi Kaso washed down. As a result, numerous homes in Dhakka Basti were demolished.
In a letter to the Resources Minister, the Chief Engineer of the Drainage Department, and Special Sarangal, Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar; the Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department reported that the Dhussi dam had been breached close to Mandala Chhanna and Gatta Mandi Kaso. The department was attempting to repair the crack from all sides.
3 Police Officers seen drinking in an Ambulance in Punjab's Hoshiarpur
Later, the department was directed to work only on one side at the request of MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. After taking over the work at Mandala Chhanna, Balbir Singh Seechewal later shifted to the opposing side. However, despite the fact that the job was moving along at a good clip, the superintendent engineer has informed him that Seechewal is requesting that the department send the contractor back. He has already begun working with his volunteers.
"Since the breach has still not been plugged, there is a danger of more water flowing through the breach due to upcoming rains or future release of water from Bhakra Dam," the letter read. Already the villages are submerged in water. It is also mentioned in the letter that the DC of Jalandhar has assigned the above works.
Sant Balveer Singh Seechewal, a Rajya Sabha member, stated that he has been requesting since last year for the Punjab drainage department to improve the entire system by repairing the dams and building a paved road over them. Despite having everything in writing, the department took no action. Crack filling in Gatta Mandi Kaso is now progressing quickly as well.