Budgam, June 28: The Arzan-Garzan irrigation water storage scheme, which was constructed by the government 47 years ago for irrigation purposes for various villages of the Chaar-i-Sharief in this central Kashmir’s Budgam district, is lying defunct.
The farmers of the area told Rising Kashmir that they are facing a shortage of irrigation facilities in their agricultural and horticultural lands.
Mohammad Yousuf Dar, a resident of Chrawani village, said that in 1975, the government constructed the Arzan-Garzan irrigation water storage scheme so that proper irrigation water supply could be provided to various villages.
“The water scheme was damaged in 1993 after it was hit by floods. Since then, it lying defunct,” Dar said, adding, “The Ministry of Water Resources, the Government of India, and the Central Water Commission (CWC) have also approved this project. “So, a proper irrigation water supply can be provided to the various villages through this water scheme. But the administrative approval of this scheme is still pending.”
Nissar Ahmad Negroo, another local, said that during the years 2019 and 2020, the irrigation department started renovation work of the water scheme. Due to some unknown reasons, the contractor stopped the work, he said.
“The farmers from various villages, which include Chrawani, Zagipora, Dardpora, Hayatpora, and CG Dhar, are economically dependent upon agricultural and horticultural production. Due to the lack of irrigation water supplies in the Arzan-Garzan irrigation water scheme, we are facing a lot of difficulties in our agricultural and horticulture lands on a daily basis,” Negroo added.
He said that more than 25,000 kanals of agricultural and horticultural lands in these villages also remain uncultivated. When we spray pesticides in our orchards, we have to bring water from other water canals, he said.
“We are living in a far-flung area, and due to the shortage of irrigation facilities, the horticulture and agricultural activities have also been affected here. If the government renovates the Arzan-Garzan irrigation water scheme, it will also provide relief to various villages and boost the farmers’ income,” Nissar said.
An official from the Irrigation Division Budgam said the work on the project was stopped by the contractor as his payment was denied by the Treasury due to the non-availability of Administrative Approval.
