Durgapur barrage lock gate breaks resulting in flood threat

Kolkata: A lock gate of the Durgapur barrage in the West Burdwan district of the state broke on Friday posing a serious threat of flood in the area.

The state Irrigation department has taken prompt action and started the repair work on a war footing. It has also been learnt that the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has stopped water release in Maithan and Panchet Dam following the incident.

The lock gate no. 1 broke under water pressure. The Irrigation department officials and the district administrative officials rushed to the spot and began the repairing work on an emergency basis.

The locals fear that the incident may lead to non-supply of drinking water in vast parts of Durgapur as the water lever on the feeder canal went down. Early on Friday morning, the lock gate 1 collapsed posing a threat of inundation in some of the adjoining districts like Hooghly and Bankura.

The residents alleged that the incident happened due to the lack of maintenance of the barrage by the DVC. It does not carry out dredging for a long time, they alleged.

It may be mentioned that lock gate 1 is one of the main gates. There are altogether 32 lock gates in the barrage. Durgapur municipality and ADDA officials also rushed to the spot and crane was brought in. The local MLA also reached the spot to monitor the situation.

A senior district administrative officer said as there was heavy rainfall in the state, a huge amount of water was stored in the reservoir. He also added that there will be water crisis now.

State Irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee said there was nothing to worry about. Adequate amount of water has been stored in the state's reservoir. Repair work is being done in full swing.