Massive desilting work on main canals going on across Jammu region amid lockdown

extensive work of desilting and deep cleaning of main canals across Jammu region is going on in full swing as authorities decided to delay release of water into m by a fortnight after coronavirus outbreak put a halt on upcoming Baisakhi festival celebrations.

Jammu region has around 3,000-km vast network of canals under major, medium and mir category alone, excluding 'zamindari khuls' and field channels. Ranbir Canal, New Pratap Canal, Ranjan Canal, Tawi Lift Canal, Paragwal Canal, Kathua Canal and Ravi Canals are main canal systems of region, which provide irrigation to lakhs of farmers in 842 vills, irrigating over one lakh hectare area.

se canals get filled with 'mulba' (silt) deposition, especially due to high silt content in waters of Chenab, Tawi and Ravi rivers. Besides, Irrigation and flood control (IFC) department also faces challenge of illegal disposal of waste in canals as a large part of Ranbir canal crosses Jammu city.

"Over three lakh cubic metre of silt has been cleared from major canals in region so far. Irrigation and Flood Control Department has taken up an extensive exercise for clearing mulba from se canals in February," a spokesperson of Irrigation and Flood Control Department said.

He said after assessing ground situation in consultation with farmers' representatives, water user groups, Panchayati Raj Institution members and agriculture department, department has decided to postpone release of water in canals to last week of April.

" department usually releases waters in Ranbir Canal and or irrigation canals of Jammu division on eve of Baisakhi – April 13 or 14. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, congregation is being organised this year and also due to demand for water for irrigation, release of water has been postponed," spokesperson said.

He said field officers have reported that re is requirement of water by farmers at this st, as during previous months re was equate rainfall and harvesting of crops has taken place so far.

" farmers may still take at least one to two weeks for harvesting Rabi crop. Rar apprehension of dam to standing crops has been raised in case water is released in canals in April," spokesperson said.

He said canals also require clearance of shrub growths for ensuring smooth flow of water during irrigation season for which IFC department undertakes annual desilting of canals during February-April every year. During current year, department initiated many reforms to ensure deep cleaning of canals and ensure transparency in desilting work, spokesperson said.

"Earlier whole work was fragmented into very small works and around 800 tenders were being floated. Unlike previous years' practice of taking small works, this year contracts were clubbed to ensure transparency. PRIs and Municipal Committee members were involved for regular monitoring of desilting works," he said.

Besides regular check and monitoring, spokesman said, municipal and panchayat authorities have also been asked to ensure diversion of drain being disposed off in canals and making proper garb collection and disposal in areas around canals to prevent garb dumping by people in canals.

"More than 1,500 tices have also been issued to various individuals and ncies for dumping of household waste and garb in canals," he said.