Water tank’s wall falls before completion

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, July 25

A side wall of a ground water storage tank at Gurusar village in Gidderbaha Assembly segment collapsed today. This speaks volumes about the alleged poor quality of material being used in the construction of the water works.

The water works being built with nearly Rs 3 crore on Badian road is yet to become operational.

The construction had started during the previous SAD-BJP government and is in its last leg now.

Balraj Singh, a resident of Gurusar village, said, “The side wall’s collapse has raised questions about the quality of the construction material. It needs a fair probe so that the culprit is penalised.”

Ranjit Singh, another villager, said, “This is not the first such instance. Last month, the overhead water tank had developed cracks that were repaired immediately.”

Amrik Singh, Executive Engineer, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Muktsar, said, “I recently assumed the charge of this division. The payment has not been made to the contractor as of now. Once the project is complete, only then will the payment be made. We will find the reason for the wall collapse.”

The village has nearly 7,000 residents. Though there is already a waterworks in the village, it is not enough to cater to such a huge populace. That was the reason the construction of new waterworks was undertaken.