Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the Tiware Dam burst in Konkan’s Chiplun, where 23 people are feared dead. The Congress, however, demanded that a case of culpable homicide be filed against the government officials, who neglected the cracks in the structure despite complaints from locals, and a Shiv Sena MLA’s firm that constructed the dam.
“The reason for the breach will be probed and action will be taken against those found guilty,” Mr. Fadnavis said. He contacted the district administration and took stock of the relief and rescue operations, a statement said.
At a press conference, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, said, “The dam was constructed 19 years ago by Hemraj construction, which is run by Sena MLA Sadanand Chavan.”
“The fact that the dam developed cracks in less than two decades and breached, resulting in loss of innocent lives shows the work was mired in corruption and irregularities,” he said.
Mr. Wadettiwar said last year, locals had complained to the district administration that the dam had developed cracks. “This year, the dam was repaired and still there was a breach. Why were the complaints of locals not taken seriously?”
Mr. Wadettiwar said the loss of lives was due to the government’s apathy and negligence, and demanded resignation of Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan. “The minister knows how to breach other political parties, but doesn’t know how to prevent breach of dams.”
The Congress leader also demanded that a case under IPC Section 302 (murder) be filed against the government since the problem in the dam was brought to the notice of the administration, but no action was taken.