SIALKOT, Nov 15: Neglecting orders of the chief minister, the Daska-based irrigation officials have still not started repair of the BRB canal’s banks. On Sept 27, a van had plunged into the canal leaving eight people dead. Taking notice of the tragedy, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi had ordered early repair of the canal’s badly-damaged banks, but so far no funds have been allocated for the purpose.

The canal banks-cum-roads are very narrow and travelling on them has always been dangerous. The spot from where the van had plunged into the canal is also very narrow, and there is no fencing on both sides. And it takes more than one hour to cover a distance of about four kilometres from the main canal bridge to Raja Ghuman village through these banks.

According to a survey, both banks of the canal are still in a dilapidated condition at various places and in dire need of repair. These banks have never been repaired since the construction of the canal during the British regime before partition.

Travelling on these banks has already been declared dangerous, but the irrigation department has not taken any step to stop it. — Correspondent