Embarrassment for Nitish as Bihar canal collapses

Patna, Sep 20 (IANS) A portion of a canal that was to be inaugurated on Wednesday by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar collapsed hours before the ceremony, causing embarrassment to the state government.

The incident occurred in Bhagalpur district on Tuesday forcing the Chief Minister to cancel his scheduled visit to the area on Wednesday.

A portion of Bateshwarsthan Ganga Pump Canal Project collapsed resulting in the inundation of a large part of residential areas and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant in Kahalgao.

It also crushed the hopes of the local people, particularly farmers, who had been waiting for it for last 40 years.