Durgapur barrage crisis: Water scarcity hits the whole industrial township of Bengal after lock gate breaks

Durgapur, November 26: Due to a leaking in lock gate of the Durgapur barrage, the whole industrial township of Bengal is facing a water crisis. On Friday a break in a sluice gate of the Durgapur Barrage triggered the discharge of excess water which could lead to a flood in neighboring areas. However, state irrigation department is working on war foot, and as per the latest report, the repair of the damaged gate is complete.

It is very ironic that the twisted gates which were prepared to prevent flood swept away on Friday. Instantly water gushed out from upper catchment. Supply of drinking water got stopped in several areas of Durgapur though municipality tried to manage the situation with water supplying tankers. Durgapur has never faced such a crisis.

Especially residents of housing areas like City Centre, Benaciti, Bidhannagar, SEPKO, MMC, DPL are facing the crisis more intensely. On Saturday morning Township only got water service for a small period of time. Along with local residents, the industries of the region, including four power plants in Durgapur, Andal and Bankura's Mejia, has stopped.

According to the local reports, already it has been instructed to release thousands cusecs water from the Maithon Barrage on an experimental basis. Within a few hours, this water will reach the barrel of the barrage. Officials are hoping the water crisis in Durgapur-Asansol region will be solved within Sunday evening.