Srinagar, March 08: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Saturday informed the House that a mega project under AMRUT-2.0 for laying a 1200mm raw water pipeline from Preng to Rangil is under formulation. He said, “The pre-feasibility report for the project has been approved, and once completed, this pipeline will significantly improve the raw water supply to various treatment plants, easing pressure on existing water sources, particularly the SE Canal.”
Rana was responding to an unstarred question tabled by Youth National Conference (YNC) Provincial President and MLA Hazratbal, Salman Ali Sagar, regarding water scarcity issues in the Hazratbal area. Sagar had sought details on the measures being taken to resolve issues with the SE and Mawas Canals and the steps being implemented to improve water supply in rural areas.
In his response, Rana informed the Assembly that the SE Canal, which supplies water to 16 treatment plants with a combined capacity of 63 MGD, underwent a major desilting operation on February 22 and 23, 2025. The operation, carried out by the JKPDC, I&FC, and PHE departments, aimed to increase the canal’s water-carrying capacity, ensuring a steady discharge for both drinking and irrigation purposes. “The maintenance work also removed blockages and cleared debris and silt, preventing overflow from embankments,” Rana added.
Regarding the Mawas Canal, Rana mentioned that Rs 3.81 lakh had been spent on maintenance works, including clearance of boulders, repair of the hydraulic gate, silt clearance from Theed to Darbagh, and the construction of a cement concrete lining wall at Dar Mohalla in Chatterhama Mawas.
On the Hadura 0.5 MGD water treatment plant, Rana said that while the plant remains functional for 10 months a year, it faces raw water shortages during peak summers due to increased irrigation demand. “The recent maintenance work on the SE and Power Canals will help address this issue,” he said.
Rana also addressed the feasibility of bore wells in rural Hazratbal areas like Fakir Gujri, Gandtal, and Dharbagh. He explained that the potential for bore wells in Fakir Gujri is low due to the nature of the terrain. However, he assured that a dedicated water supply scheme from Tulpathri spring, involving the laying of around 5 km of pipeline to Fakir Gujri, is under survey. “Bore wells for other rural areas in Hazratbal are also being examined based on groundwater availability,” he added.
Meanwhile, Rana also informed the House that several tube wells have been constructed in various panchayats of the Jammu East Constituency over the last two years to enhance water supply in the region.
He was responding to a starred question raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the East Constituency, Yudhvir Sethi, regarding the status and future plans for tube well construction in the area.
Rana stated that three tube wells have been drilled to serve the Lower Bajalta and Upper Bajalta areas. He added that another three tube wells have been constructed to improve water availability in Lower and Upper Kana Chargal, covering the villages of Kana, Chargal, and Marai Kamata. “Two tube wells are currently under progress in Pargalta,” the minister said.
Addressing concerns about water supply in Aithem Panchayat, Rana informed the House that a tube well has been drilled in Tutan di Khui, which will serve the residents of the area. “Another tubewell has been drilled in Dagair Salura to improve water supply in Dagair, Salura, and Padhoon areas of Aithem Panchayat,” he added.
Rana also said that a deep tube well has been drilled under the Water Supply Scheme (WSS) Jagti as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) during 2023-24, and the scheme is now operational.
