Srinagar, Mar 19: The government of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday said that 658 encroachments were removed in 2024-25, leading to the retrieval of 300.02 Kanals of government land along certain stretches of canals in the Srigufwara-Bijbehara assembly constituency.
In response to a question from Syed Bashir Ahmad Veeri, MLA Srigufwara-Bijbehara, in the assembly, Jal Shakti Minister Javad Rana said, “There are certain stretches of canals where encroachments exist on the banks. However, the main water course remains free from any encroachments, ensuring that the water flow is not impeded.”
There are eight irrigation canals in the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency, including the Dadi Canal. Together, these canals have a total length of approximately 94.1 kilometers and irrigate a Culturable Command Area (CCA) of 8,364 hectares.
He added that regular anti-encroachment drives are being conducted by the concerned department to curb such violations. “A total of 658 encroachments were removed in 2024-25, resulting in the retrieval of 300.02 kanals of government land,” the minister said.
Regarding de-silting efforts, the minister said, “Silt removal is a routine maintenance activity carried out in canals, typically after every irrigation season. This is undertaken through stage contracts as well as through a convergence mode.”
He further informed that under Maintenance and Repairs (M&R) grants, 17 km of canals in the Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency were desilted in 2024-25 at an expenditure of Rs. 5.82 lakh. Besides, the Rural Development Department undertook desilting across 8 km through 52 works at a cost of Rs. 3.17 lakh.
“To enhance the carrying capacity of various canals in the Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) amounting to Rs. 37.00 crore has been prepared. This is proposed to be included in the project shelf of NABARD for 2025-26,” the minister added.
