ADILABAD: The “power” of local youth from all sections of people lifted two gates of the Kadam project, thereby saving their village from an imminent flood threat. This also exposed the official apathy, as they had performed the same exercise on July 21.
With water levels building up, it became essential that gate numbers 6 and 16 be lifted to save the village from flooding. The youth – including Aashu, Jubair, Surender, Kaleem, Santhosh and Ghouse – contributed their manual strength to first lift gate 16 manually, while technicians guided them.
Their cumulative effort for four hours with an iron handle finally moved the wheel, leading to shouts of triumph as water started gushing out. They then lifted gate number 6 too to ensure that the water emptied faster.
The youth belonging to Hindu and Muslim communities said they only wanted to save Kadam and surrounding villages from floods. They had also helped villagers from low-lying areas to shift to high places like the government hospital, Rythu Vedika and government school.
Kadam Congress president Wajeed Khan said officials had the entire winter and summer seasons to repair the gates after last year’s floods. “They only did some ‘thook polish’, carrying out minor repairs and applying ‘fair and lovely’ to make things look good,” he remarked.
Surender of Kadam said it is high time state government undertakes fool-proof repairs on the project after conclusion of the monsoon.
The youth wondered how political leaders could leave the spot, leaving Kadam project’s safety to mercy of God. Locals said as against 12 staff, Kadam project has only three employees to operate the gates.
The youth got appreciation from people across the state for their timely initiative and intervention in saving villages from the flood threat.
