Post News Network
Badasahi, Nov 8: A month after its completion, an embankment built along river Budhabalanga near Shankucha village under this block in Mayurbhanj, caved in due to alleged substandard work.
Crores of rupees spent on the project to save the riparian villages from floods have gone down the drains, locals alleged.
A long stretch of the embankment has got damaged due to poor work, making Sankucha vulnerable to floods. Locals alleged that the contractors and engineers have botched up the work to mint money.
Sources said Rs 11 crore has been spent for the embankment, but the contractors have not put up information about the project cost.
Chandanpur sarpanch Harishchandra Murmu alleged that the contractors in collusion with engineers have somehow completed the work, caring little for its quality.
Every year, floodwaters cause havoc in riparian villages like Sankucha, Badagambharia, Tunagambharia, Jalanad and other villages.
Alleging substandard work in the embankment, people of several villages have taken up the matter with district collector and the secretary of the irrigation department.
They have demanded immediate repair of the damaged patch. They warned of an agitation if no steps are taken in this regard.
Executive engineer of the irrigation division, Bijay Kumar Mishra said he was aware of the matter. Orissa Construction Corporation executed the work on behalf of the irrigation department, he added.
The contractors have not paid completely and repair work will be carried out wherever necessary, Mishra said.
He, however, parried questions about putting up information board on the project.
