PONDA: The President of the Kundaim Chikalpaine Khajan Tenant Association, Vijesh Naik, has raised concerns over the quality of work carried out by a contractor involved in the construction of the Chikalpaine bandhara. Naik’s allegations of substandard construction have prompted calls for a thorough investigation by government authorities.
Naik’s complaints, addressed to the Executive Engineer of Soil Conservator Division and copied to key government officials including the Agriculture Minister and the Power Minister, highlight issues such as significant leakages in the bandhara despite substantial investment.
During a media briefing on Monday, Naik showcased the evident water leakage from the newly constructed bandhara, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the approximately 250 farmers reliant on khajan cultivation. He lamented the apparent lack of adequate concrete usage, citing repeated notifications to both the contractor and officials regarding the issue.
The primary purpose of the bandhara’s construction was to prevent saline water leakage into agricultural fields, a crucial aspect of local farming. Naik’s assertion that the contractor failed to achieve this objective underscores the urgency for government intervention to safeguard agricultural livelihoods.
Moreover, Naik highlighted concerns about the retention of aged mangrove trees obstructing the construction, warning that their eventual decay could exacerbate leakage issues.
This outcry echoes past struggles faced by Ponda residents, who endured years of saline water intrusion due to breaches in previous bandharas. Despite efforts to address these challenges through government-funded projects, the failure of contractors to meet expectations remains a pressing issue, threatening the sustainability of local agriculture.
