Srinagar, June 03: The Jal Shakti Department in Kashmir has refuted claims made in a local Urdu daily on June 3, 2024, regarding the scarcity of irrigation supplies in certain areas of Ganderbal district and Sumbal area of Bandipora district.
The Urdu daily published a news story titled “Scarcity of irrigation water in many villages of Bandipora and Ganderbal; paddy fields have dried up, locals blame authorities for neglecting irrigation canals”, the department said in a press release.
The Jal Shakti Department issued an official statement providing detailed clarifications area-wise.
According to the official statement, regarding irrigation water scarcity in Dangerpora and Tulmullah of District Ganderbal, it was explained that the Canal Command Area (CCA) of the said region is usually irrigated from the Maryab Canal through Tulmullah Dangerpora. “This season, due to simultaneous cultivation at both the head and tail portions, there was insufficient water at the tail end of the canal. However, the issue has been resolved, and necessary irrigation demands have been met through proper management,” it said.
Similarly, concerning irrigation water scarcity in Gund Nesbal, District Ganderbal, it was clarified that the CCA of the area depends on Ahansar Lake, where water is supplied through gravity channels. “This year, due to increased temperatures and insufficient rainfall, the water level in the lake decreased, causing slight water scarcity. Measures are being taken to address this issue by installing a diesel pump to lift water from the lake mechanically,” it said.
Addressing concerns about weed growth at Bachpora, a part of the Padshahi Canal at Ahmad Nagar, District Ganderbal, it was explained that excessive urbanisation in the area has led to the misuse of irrigation channels as drains, resulting in weed growth. Temporary relief measures are being taken to clear the weeds, but a permanent solution requires maintenance by the City Drainage, Urban Local Bodies, and Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the department said.
Regarding reports of irrigation water scarcity in Bahaman, Ganderbal district, the Executive Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Ganderbal said that there is no such problem in the area.
In connection with irrigation water scarcity in the Markanda area of Sumbal, District Bandipora, it was clarified that irrigation facilities in the area are provided through lift schemes dependent on power supply. However, frequent power cuts have disrupted irrigation facilities, it said.
The matter has been raised with the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) for uninterrupted power supply, the department said.
