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Chandigarh: The government of Punjab has suspended three engineers from the water resources department after a goal collapsed into the Madopur Headworks in Gurdaspur during the recent floods. The suspension of the civil servants marks the first step to remedy responsibility for falsifications that endangered the thousands of people who lived down the electricity and disturbed the state's vital irrigation system.
In a notification published on September 15, the main secretary of the water resources department ordered the suspension of the executive engineer Nitin Sood, which was published with the Gurdaspur Canal and the groundwater department. Together with him, the subdivision officer Arun Kumar and the junior engineer Sachin Thakur were also put under suspension.
The order states that the three officials could not fulfill their obligations when maintaining the Madopur headwork and did not respond to warning signs before the floods. Her falsifications directly contributed to the collapse of the gate, which risked both public security and agricultural livelihood.
The government has instructed all three officers to report the Chief Engineer headquarters in Chandigarh. A departmental investigation has been initiated and further disciplinary measures will depend on their results.
The Madopur Head Works, which is on the Ravi River, regulates the water flow in the upper Bari DOAB Canal. The structure built over a century ago is of central importance for Punjab's irrigation network. During the floods in September, one of his goals gave up water pressure under immense.
On August 27, 2025, at least two locks of the Madopur barrier collapsed during severe monsoon floods.
The locals reported that cracks and rusts had been visible on the goal for months. The flow currents increased the tension, and the structure failed at the tip of the deluge. The sudden collapse disturbed the controlled release of water, sent an increase down and created panic in nearby villages.
The authorities hurried notams to prevent further damage and to stabilize the adjacent gates. Although no life was lost in the incident, several low -lying areas were flooded in the districts of Gurdas and Patankot, and standing plants suffered extensive damage.
The farmers complained that the collapse also impaired the water supply of the channel and came at a crucial time for the cultivation of rice and vegetables. The streets and the local infrastructure were temporarily disturbed, with the bridge near the headworks being closed for security.
The Department of Water Resources has admitted that the breakdown was avoidable and was associated with errors in routine maintenance. Officials say that the suspension of the three engineers is a strong message that negligence is not tolerated.
A senior civil servant said that an immediate technical examination of all locks was ordered in Madhopur Headworks. Engineering teams inspect every goal on signs of wear and damage. Repairs are priority to ensure that the headwork remains stable for the rest of the monsoon.
Beyond Madopur, the chief engineer commissioned to question all important headwork, closures and gates in Punjab. The report is submitted within one month. The government has assured that the funds are released for urgent reinforcement measures.
The department has also recommended that a predictive system to be set up. This includes regular digital monitoring of gates, replacement plans for old structures and safety exercises before the monsoon. The villagers in Madopur pressed trouble about what they described as “avoidable negligence”. They said repeated complaints about the condition of the gates had been ignored for months. “The rust and the cracks were visible to everyone. Why did it take a flood and a collapse to deal with the department?” asked a farmer from a nearby village.
Others reported the panic on the day the goal was missing. “We saw how water hurried with enormous violence. Families grabbed their things to go. People feared that more goals would break,” said a resident of Patankot.
Agricultural unions have requested compensation for harvest losses due to Waterlog -Ging and damage to irrigation plans. You have also asked a permanent surveillance system for the RAVI embankments and Madopur goals.
The Madopur Headworks, which was built in the early 20th century, is one of Punjab's most important irrigation control points. It manages water from the ravi to the upper Bari -Doab Canal and feeds Lakhs of tomorrow in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and beyond. His role is not limited to Punjab; Through downstream connections, it also supports irrigation in parts of Rajasthan.
Experts say that the headmaster withstands for decades of flooding and urgently need to replace their aging gates. A single goal failure, as you warn, can disturb the balance of the water distribution in several districts.
A retired engineer said: “The water pressure of the ravi is immense during the monsoon. The gates must be tested before every flood -See -Sohn. Every packaging of welding, fat or alignment can lead to a catastrophe. What happened in Madopur should be treated as a warning.”
After three officials suspended and an examination underway, the focus is now on preventing further breakdowns. The emergency repair work will continue and the damm aged gate is expected to be restored soon.
The government has also instructed the district administrations to remain highly for further flood -related emergencies.