A newly constructed water tank collapsed during testing in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. Unable to withstand the pressure of water, the tank burst and collapsed like a house of cards.
The tank was built at a cost of Rs 3.5 crores under the Jal Jeevan Mission burst like a balloon as soon as it was filled with water during the trial on Saturday.
Coincidentally, there was no one around the tank at that time, evading major accident. Due to pressure, the water broke the wall of the premises and entered the nearby field, ruining the wheat crops.
The solar panel installed in the premises also collapsed due to the debris of the tank.
SP MP Posts Video Of Collapsed Tank
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Anand Bhadauria, posted a video clip, saying, "Jal Jeevan Mission the biggest scam after independence. Today, a water tank burst and fell in Sheikhpur Gram Sabha of Block Isanagar of our parliamentary constituency. @PMOIndia."
Authorities Swing Into Action
DM Durga Shakti Nagpal described this incident, which indicates a clear case of corruption, as serious and assured immediate action by getting it investigated by the district-level officials.
Water supply was to be provided to five nearby villages from the tank. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the implementing agency Building Technical Leadership (BTL) had built a water tank in Sheikhpur village.
The first responsibility of getting the water tank built is of Junior Engineer Mahendra Kumar of Jal Nigam. The responsibility of inspection is of Assistant Engineer Ehsan Khan.
The villagers made a video of the tank burst and circulated it on the internet. The villagers accused the implementing agency of corruption.
The construction of the tank started in October 2022. The capacity was 250 kilo litres and its height was 14 metres. Executive Engineer of Jal Nigam YK Neeraj said that the overhead tank is made of zinc alum (it is an alloy of zinc and aluminium). The structure is not damaged.
The liner of the outer part of the tank is torn. The water tank was not handed over, so the organisation will have to get the work done again. The tank burst will be investigated within six months, he added.