Drainage, water supply, infra failures highlighted at DISHA meet

Major concerns over poor drainage, incomplete canal cleaning and drinking water shortages dominated the District Development, Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting held on Thursday at the Panchayat Bhawan on Barnala Road.

The meeting was chaired by Sirsa MP Kumari Selja and attended by Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma, Kalanwali MLA Shishpal Keharwala, Ellenabad MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal and senior officials from multiple departments. However, once again, Sirsa MLA Gokul Setia was absent. Rania MLA Arjun Chautala and Dabwali MLA Aditya Devilal were also missing.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was criticised for poor drainage maintenance on National Highway-9. It was revealed that Rs 150 crore had been allocated over five years to improve drainage between Hisar and Dabwali, yet on-ground conditions remained poor, with blocked drains and no proper cleaning. Officials claimed the work was done, but were challenged with on-site evidence and videos.

The Irrigation Department was also questioned over weak embankments and unclean canals, especially in flood-prone areas near the Ghaggar river. Despite the June 30 deadline, many canals remain full of weeds and dirt. It was also pointed out that in several areas, cleaning was done only on paper. The Deputy Commissioner was instructed to form a committee to investigate and take action against any negligence.

Railway officials were asked to explain delays in constructing overbridges and underpasses at several key locations, including Chattargarh Patti, Court Road, and Kanganpur Road. Officials again said they would inspect the sites, prompting frustration as similar promises had been made in earlier meetings.

In response to ongoing accidents on NH-9 in villages like Sahuwala I, Odhan, Ding Mandi, Chormar, and Sawantkhera, it was confirmed that proposals for underpasses or overbridges had been approved and tendering would begin soon.

Residents also raised issues of drinking water shortages and overflowing sewers in various wards of Sirsa. Some said that roads had been dug under the Jal Jeevan Mission, but no pipelines were laid. Officials were directed to complete the work without further delay and ensure water reached every household.

Officials were warned against making further excuses. “People need results, not just paperwork and promises,” it was stated firmly during the meeting.

Meanwhile, village representatives Rajender Singh Kang from Bajekan and the representative from Phoolkan raised serious concerns about the growing drug addiction in their villages during a meeting with the MP. They told the MP that drugs like “chitta” were being sold openly in small amounts (1–2 grams), and even when they helped catch these sellers, the accused were released quickly. They demanded action be taken to stop the drug trade.

In response, the MP directed DSP Headquarters Adarshdeep to take effective action on the ground. The villagers said it was the police’s duty to catch the big drug dealers, not just the small sellers, to protect the youth in rural areas.

Haryana Tribune