BANKE, Dec 20: Soil scientists from Britain and Australia have concluded that the dike on a section of the western main canal of the Sikta Irrigation Project had caved in due to the permeable earth used for constructing the same. 

The foreign soil scientists were called for testing the earth after the dike of the western main canal collapsed frequently when water was released in the canal. 

The experts conducted intensive inspection of the main canal and its collapsed section on December 11, 12 and 13. 
Project chief Krishna Prasad Nepal said, “The soil scientists went to the field and tested the soil samples from some spots of the canal. Discussions were held on the last day of the inspection and it was pointed out that the problem was with the soil.” 

Nepal said the scientists wanted to take sample of the soil with them but did not take it as the governmental process for it was going to be long. He added that the scientists have taken some old papers with them for further study and the report on this would be presented after about a month. 

The experts had also suggested that the process of preventing water percolation could be adopted by filling up soil with higher acidity on top of the dissolvable soil and constructing counter-berm drainage on the top and bottom and to the left and right at the problem area. 

Out of the 45 kilometres of the western main canal, the problem is spotted on the section between 20 to 35 kilometres, it is stated. 

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed cases at the Special Court against 21 individuals including high officials, the contractor and the consultants on the charge of financial irregularities in the construction of the ‘faulty’ structure of the irrigation project although the portion of the dike of the irrigation canal collapsed due to natural causes. 
 

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