15 years on, lift irrigation Scheme in Pulwama’s Kawini village still incomplete
Existing scheme developing snags daily, alle3ge locals
Pulwama: More than 15 years after its approval, a lift irrigation scheme in Kawini village of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district remains unfinished, leaving locals without a reliable source of water for their agricultural needs.
Residents of Kawini said the project, sanctioned in 2008 after prolonged discussions with authorities, initially brought hope to the farming community. Work commenced soon after, and about 80 percent of the construction was completed. However, for the past four five years, progress has come to a standstill without any clear explanation.
“We are completely dependent on rainwater now for our crops due to the lack of irrigation facilities,” said Sameer Ahmad, a local farmer. “When the work on the scheme began, everyone was optimistic. But now, after 15 years, the project is still incomplete, and our situation remains the same.”
He said that the existing old scheme is developing snags on daily basis due to which people are suffering.
Farmers in the area have had to shift to alternative crops because of the lack of irrigation. “We are unable to cultivate paddy properly. Those who do end up with poor and low-quality yields,” another resident added.
Locals say they have repeatedly raised the matter with the concerned departments, but no action has been taken so far.
They are now urging the government to resume and complete the project at the earliest and complete the project for the relief of locals.
They said the timely completion of the scheme will not only improve agricultural output but also ease the hardships they have been facing for years due to water scarcity.
