Bandipora, Oct 16: An irrigation canal supplying water to hundreds of kanals of agricultural land in Gundpora and Gamroo villages of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has allegedly been narrowed during drainage work undertaken by the Rural Development Department (RDD), locals said on Friday.
A farmers’ delegation said that the work being carried out in Ganie Mohalla of Gundpora Rampora had reduced the canal’s water-carrying capacity, affecting a channel used to irrigate agricultural land in the two villages.
“The canal was a major source of irrigation, but the department has reduced it to a small drain, severely affecting its water-carrying capacity,” the delegation said.
The residents alleged that when they approached officials of the Arin block regarding the matter, they were threatened with consequences. They also claimed that the work had been undertaken without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Irrigation Department.
The locals appealed to the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD), Bandipora, to intervene and ensure that the canal’s original capacity was restored.
An Irrigation Department official said the work would be dismantled as the RDD had not obtained the requisite NOC.
“Our team visited the site on Thursday, but some miscreants attacked them. Legal action will follow,” the official said, adding that the paperwork related to the work would be stopped and the contractor’s bill withheld.
Another official said action would be taken against those found responsible for violations.
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