Get drains cleaned before monsoon, farmers urge admn

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 14

Despite the administration’s tall claims regarding cleaning of water bodies ahead of the monsoon season, work of cleaning of drains falling under Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts is yet to be started.

Apprehending damage to their crops, farmers of the region have urged the authorities to ensure that all drains are cleaned before the rainy season.

Authorities claimed that officials concerned in the Drainage Department have started taking preventive measures to handle any adverse situation.

Farmers led by Avtar Singh Jargari said: “The last time the Lasara drain was cleaned and repaired properly was over five decades ago. It has almost lost one side of the bank due to which toxic water normally enters forest areas thus harming trees,” said Avtar Singh regretting that officials had not bothered to respond to an application demanding cleaning of the drain. Executive Engineer Gagandeep Singh said an estimate for comprehensive cleaning of the Lasara drain had already been prepared and work would be started soon.