Sullia: A vented dam got washed away, just a year after construction near Ubardka Mittur in Sullia taluk, exposing corruption which might have led to poor workmanship.

The vented dam constructed across Kandadka River, near Doddadka in Umaradka village limits of Sullia taluk to store water by the minor irrigation department did not last even a year. A budgetary grant of Rs 47 lakhs was allotted in the year 2012-13 and further raised by Rs 25 lakhs subsequently. Water was stored during February by using planks for 45 days after the completion of work a year ago.

After the water levels depleted, some clearing works like clearing deposited waste materials (mainly leaves and branches of trees) blocking the water flow were undertaken on November 30. After that, planks were used again like crest gates to store water as the region received less rainfall. But the dam failed to withstand the water pressure and caved in exposing ‘vents’ in execution where part of the allotted funds might have been siphoned during the project execution.

With the dam caving in, Rs 72 lakhs of tax payer’s money spent on the construction too got washed away!

The project was undertaken to increase the underground water level in the area and support agricultural activities. Due to pressure from local Gram Panchayath (GP) members and elected representatives, MLA Angara managed to get the project sanctioned in 2012-13. The work to construct the retainer wall using the additional fund allocation of Rs 25 lakhs was in progress, when the dam caved in.

Engineering experts from minor irrigation department visited the site after the incident. Poor foundation works in sandy surface might have caused the damage, opined those experts.

According to villagers, adamant and unscientific approach along with poor workmanship led to the collapse. They argued that factors including water current, soil strength, rainfall statistics were not taken into account before taking up the project.

A vented dam was constructed in 1960 which functioned till mid 1980’s benefitting all stakeholders, say villagers in the area and showed remnants of the old dam to justify their argument. They all wanted the new vented dam to be constructed where the old one existed. But their suggestions were ignored and the new vented dam was constructed at a higher location in an unscientific manner, villagers argue.

Ajeyakrishna, farmer in the area, recalls his complaint to the authorities on the problems faced by agriculturists when the new vented dam work was in progress. He had said, water used to enter agricultural lands after very little rainfall destroying crops due to blockages (caused by waste materials) in the dam area. He rued, authorities had ignored his complaints time and again and even blamed him and others for all the problems.

Villagers sought explanation from the minor irrigation department engineers for the lapses when they visited the site after the dam caved in. Since the vented dam which was supposed to last for 50-60 years had collapsed a year after construction, they demanded, criminal cases be filed against project engineers and contractors.

Executive engineer Prakash, Assistant engineer Shanmugam, and Junior engineer Parameshwar were present at the spot and inspected the old vented dam site as well.

Taluk Panchayath President Chaniya Kalladka, Ubaradka GP president Harish Ubradka led the villagers during the inspection and meeting. GP president Harish Ubaradka demanded construction of a new vented dam in the old project site that existed around 40 years ago.

Due to villagers’ pressure, Assistant Executive Engineer Prakash assured them of submitting a report to higher officials in the department demanding action against those responsible for the dam’s poor workmanship which ultimately led to its collapse. He said, complete details of plan, design and execution will be sent. He assured the villagers of stringent action from the government side.