Jammu, March 15: The government has shared detailed information on the status of irrigation infrastructure in the Doda-West constituency, focusing primarily on the Kastigarh Canal and five minor irrigation khuls.
In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Shakti Raj Parihar The Kastigarh Canal remains the only major irrigation canal in Doda-West, spanning 20 kilometers and catering to a command area (CCA) of 720 hectares. It serves key agricultural villages such as Kadlal, Malwa, Kuddhar, Manwhas, Parshal, Mundhar, Kastigarh, and surrounding areas.
According to the reply, the canal was partially functional up to RD 15000 meters. However, it faced significant setbacks due to natural calamities. A major landslide in July 2024 damaged a section of the canal between RD 8525–8600 meters, which has since been restored. Further damages occurred during the winter due to heavy rainfall, snowfall, and forest fires between RD 0–4000 meters. The administration has taken up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner, Doda, seeking funds under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for repairs.
Over the last two financial years, funds to the tune of Rs 90.16 lakh and Rs 48 lakh were released for the canal under UT Capex and M&R (Maintenance and Repairs) heads. The utilization stood at Rs 61.437 lakh in 2022–23 and Rs 34.21 lakh in 2023–24.
Five minor khuls—Bhagwah, Mandole, Gai, Ganika, and Dandi—exist in the constituency. These cover villages like Bhagwah, Mandole, Gai, Ganika, and Dandi with a combined length of over 15 kilometers and a total CCA of more than 240 hectares. However, no funds were utilized for these canals over the past two years.
Out of these, only Ganika Khul and Dandi Khul remain functional, while others are either partially functional or non-operational due to damage.
While the Directorate of Audit and Inspections, J&K, has audited the utilization of funds, no third-party audit has been conducted to assess mismanagement or incomplete projects. This raises concerns regarding transparency and accountability in irrigation infrastructure development in the region.
MLA Shakti Raj Parihar has emphasized the need for focused attention on the region’s irrigation facilities, especially in the wake of increasing climate-related disruptions impacting local agriculture.
