Delay in Tahab underpass construction hits irrigation, farmers fear losses
Blocked canal amid ongoing work disrupts agricultural, horticultural activities
Pulwama: The slow pace of construction work on the under-construction underpass at Tahab in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district has emerged as a major concern for local farmers, who say the project has blocked a vital irrigation canal and triggered fears of severe damage to crops and orchards ahead of the peak summer season.
Residents and farmers from the area said the irrigation canal, which serves hundreds of kanals of agricultural and horticultural land, has remained partially blocked for a considerable period due to ongoing construction activities at the site. They said the disruption in water supply has already started affecting farming operations, while orchard owners fear losses if the issue continues during the crucial irrigation months.
Locals said that with temperatures gradually rising and water demand increasing, the delay in restoring the canal has created uncertainty among farming families who are largely dependent on agriculture and horticulture for their livelihood.
“We are not against development projects, but the work should not come at the cost of our survival,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a farmer from Tahab. “Our paddy fields and orchards depend entirely on this canal. If water does not reach the fields on time, the crops will dry up and fruit production will also suffer.”
Another local resident, Abdul Rashid, said the construction work has been moving at a very slow pace for months. “The authorities should have made alternate arrangements for irrigation before blocking the canal. Farmers are suffering silently while the project continues without urgency,” he said.
Fruit growers in the area also expressed concern, saying young apple trees and other horticultural crops require regular watering during the summer months.
“Many families here survive on horticulture. A prolonged water shortage can badly impact the health of orchards and reduce production this season,” said Fayaz Ahmad, an orchard owner. “The administration must intervene immediately and ensure that the canal is restored or an alternative water supply is arranged.”
Locals alleged that despite repeated appeals to the concerned departments and contractors, the issue has not been resolved, forcing farmers to rely on limited and irregular water sources.
They urged the district administration and executing agencies to accelerate the pace of construction work and ensure that irrigation channels are cleared at the earliest to prevent further losses to the farmers
The residents said development projects are important for public convenience, but stressed that authorities must also safeguard the interests of farmers whose livelihoods are directly linked to timely irrigation and water availability.
