Biker dies as Ghaggar canal breach causes road collapse in Sirsa

A tragic accident took place early Saturday near Dhottar village in Sirsa after a road collapsed due to a breach in the Ghaggar-Bani-Sehdeva-Mammar (GBSM) canal, a branch of the Ghaggar river. The incident led to the death of 30-year-old Sandeep, a sweeper at Sirsa Civil Hospital, while his brother-in-law Sukhdev sustained serious injuries.

According to local sources, Sandeep was returning to his village from Chautala after attending a family wedding. He left around 4 am with his brother-in-law, as he had to report for duty at the hospital. While passing between Dhottar and Kharia villages, a section of the main road suddenly gave way due to water leakage beneath from the damaged canal, forming a deep ditch. Sandeep’s motorcycle fell into the ditch, resulting in his death on the spot. His brother-in-law sustained a broken leg and injuries to his head and hands. At present, he is being treated at a private hospital.

Locals revealed that the breach in the canal caused flooding in the nearby fields, submerging over 100 acres of crops. The Ghaggar river, already swollen due to heavy monsoon rains, is carrying nearly 8,000 cusecs of water, putting additional pressure on the canal system.

Villagers quickly gathered at the accident spot and protested, shouting slogans against the administration and the Irrigation Department. They blamed the incident on official negligence, saying that the minor branch of the canal had been disturbed recently. The administration had removed irrigation pipes laid by the villagers and dug up the road using heavy machines. However, the road was never properly recarpeted, it was left unpaved, and no concrete was laid, which made it weak and prone to water damage.

Sarpanch Rajesh said the canal breach and poor road restoration directly led to the accident. “The administration failed to act despite knowing the first water flow would cause damage. Who is responsible now for this loss?” he asked.

Villagers Gurdev Singh and Joginder Singh said they had been requesting proper repairs, but no officials came, even during the night. “We had to bring in machines ourselves and try to stop the water. The administration must give a written assurance and take responsibility for Sandeep’s death.”Sandeep was the sole earner in his family. His father had passed away a year-and-a-half ago, and he was supporting his wife and four children, three daughters and a son.

Meanwhile, Irrigation Department XEN Sandeep Kumar said the breach in the GBSM canal happened at 4 am. Because of the flowing water, the nearby road got damaged, and about 10–15 ft of the road was washed away. Since it was still dark, bike riders probably couldn’t see the broken section, which led to the accident. He added that as soon as the department received the information, the damaged part of the road was filled and restored. Work to repair the canal was still ongoing. He also said the water that had entered the fields had started flowing back into the canal, now. The police have sent the body to the Civil Hospital mortuary.

Haryana Tribune