The quality of the construction of the main canal of the Sikta Irrigation Project has been questioned after a section collapsed when water was released into it during a test.

The contractor for the project is Kalika Construction, one of the famed construction companies in Nepal.

When water was released into the canal for a test on Monday, a 15-metre section was damaged after being battered by the surging waves. The main canal can sustain a flow of 50 cusecs of water. Cracks have appeared in different parts of the canal.

“We have learnt many things from the test. We will now release water only after being convinced that the canal has no problems,” said Project Chief Saroj Pandit. He blamed inferior quality soil at the damaged section of the canal which resulted in leakage from the joints and holes.

Joints and holes are built into the canal in order to prevent it from bursting due to the sudden flow of a large quantity of water, according to engineers.

“The contractor prepared the lining by using sophisticated technology. But some parts of the canal were damaged,” said Pandit. “Now, the canal will be handed over to the government only after the damaged parts have been reconstructed.”

The construction of 35 km of the 45-km-long main canal has been completed. The contractor is working on the rest of the canal. If the test had been successful, the project office had planned to provide irrigation facilities from its first branch from mid-July. “Now, water will be released into the canal in the next fiscal year after the reconstruction is finished,” said Pandit.

The Department of Irrigation sent a team to conduct a study after the canal was damaged. A source said that necessary action would be initiated as per the report of the study.

Kalika Construction has claimed that it has not compromised on the quality of the construction work. “There is no weakness on our part,” said Yubaraj Chhetri, director of the company. “The investigation will bring out the truth why the canal was damaged. We have been awaiting the report of the Department of Irrigation.”

He said that tests are conducted in big projects to find out weaknesses. “The damaged parts will be reconstructed,” he said. “The reasons behind the damage will be known after studying the design, soil and raw materials.”

According to project officials, tests conducted to examine the barrage and other sections of the canal were successful. The barrage was tested by closing the doors at Agaiya, Banke and releasing water into the main canal. A total of 18 gates have been built to block the Rapti River at Agaiya.

The government has estimated the total cost of the project at Rs25.02 billion. The national pride project is expected to be completed by the fiscal year 2019-20. The project aims to irrigate 80 percent of the arable lands in Banke. Currently, 30 percent of 35,970 hectares of arable lands have irrigation facilities.