Irrigation canal in South Kashmir turns into dumping site, authorities unmoved
Pulwama: An irrigation canal passing through Darbagh (Shopian district) and ZahidBagh (Pulwama district) has turned into a dumping site, reflecting the non seriousness of the authorities to restore the major source of irrigation in the twin districts.
The move has left the residents of both the districts enraged who have accused the authorities of its non serious approach towards the grave issue.
Locals said a siphon got damaged post September 2014 floods following which the canal has dried up and no measures were taken by the authorities to restore it.
“In May 2020, a pipeline was laid to divert water of the canal to river Ranbiara, however, the initiative proved to be a failure owing to the narrow size of the pipes which would stop the flow of the water,” a resident said.
They said the locals have made the canal a dumping site as whole waste and stagnant water gets accumulated in the canal giving a tough time to the community.
“Unfortunately there is no intervention from concerned authorities. Heaps of polythene, plastic paper and other medical wastes are being dumped inside the canal,” said Gulzar Ahmad, a local resident.
Locals claimed that they informed concerned authorities several times however no action was taken on ground.
“The heaps of garbage and the stagnant water pose a threat of communicable disease,” said Altaf Ahmad, another local.
He said that some locals have been dumping their waste products in this canal and it has been turned into a dumping site besides that the banks of the canal are full of wild cannabis.
The residents urged the higher ups to look into the matter so that they can heave a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, an official said that the pipeline was laid only for emergency purposes while a new project for the canal which will connect the canal with other parts to irrigate fields is in the pipeline.
“Work will be started on the project very soon,” he said.
The official however urged the people not to throw waste material in the canal saying that it will have hazardous results.
