Sasaram: The prolonged dysfunction of the inlet canal supplying water to the pond surrounding the historic Sher Shah Suri Tomb in Sasaram has once again put the irrigation department under scrutiny, highlighting years of administrative inaction and failed restoration efforts.The canal, a key component in maintaining the water level and ecological balance of the monument, has remained defunct for nearly a decade. Originally constructed during the British era, it was designed to ensure a continuous inflow of clean water into the pond encircling the tomb, a protected heritage site of national importance. However, officials admit that the system has not been operational for years, leading to a steady decline in water levels and deterioration of the surrounding environment.Efforts to revive the canal have repeatedly hit roadblocks. According to irrigation department officials, tenders floated over the past year for restoring the inlet canal through a pipeline-based system had to be cancelled five times due to the absence of eligible contractors. The repeated failure to attract bidders has further delayed any meaningful intervention.Chief engineer of the irrigation department, Dehri-on-Sone, Ajay Singh, acknowledged the issue, stating that the project has faced persistent implementation challenges despite its urgency. He noted that the canal’s restoration is crucial not only for water supply but also for preserving the structural and environmental integrity of the monument.The matter has also drawn judicial attention in the past. Over the last 15 years, the Patna high court, while disposing of two Public Interest Litigations, directed the state govt to ensure adequate water supply to the pond through the inlet canal. Despite these directives, little progress has been made on the ground.Encroachment has further compounded the problem. Nearly two kilometres of the canal has been taken over and converted into a dumping ground by local residents and even municipal authorities. This has obstructed water flow and contributed to increasing pollution levels in the pond.The state govt had approved a major restoration plan earlier. Following a directive issued by the then CM during a visit to Sasaram in Dec 2016, the irrigation department prepared a detailed project report. Administrative approval of Rs 7.46 crore was granted in the 2017–18 financial year for renovation of both inlet and outlet canals, and the contract was awarded to a private firm.Despite an expenditure of nearly Rs 5 crore, the project failed to deliver results. Water never reached the pond, and instead, seepage from the canal led to waterlogging in nearby residential areas. A subsequent inspection by the department’s Central Design and Research Quality Control Organisation in March 2023 detected serious irregularities in the execution. The contractor was later blacklisted, and action was initiated against concerned engineers.A fresh proposal to restore the inlet canal through a pipeline system was prepared in June 2025 at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore. However, the continued lack of contractor participation has stalled progress.Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the site. Officials warn that the declining water level in the pond poses a serious threat to the preservation of the tomb. With the canal now again reduced to a garbage dump, the situation remains critical, underscoring the need for urgent and effective intervention.
