Convener News Desk
Bandipora, August 19: The ‘Halshari’ irrigation canal at Panar, a crucial lifeline for thousands of kanals of agricultural land, is facing severe danger as nearly 90 percent of its protection bundh near Primary School Colie Mohalla Athwatoo lies damaged.
Talking to Kashmir Convener, local farmers warn that a complete collapse could occur any time, threatening both the canal and their crops.
Farmers said they had repeatedly approached the Rural Development Department (RDD) for repairs. The project — covering the stretch from the fish farm to Colie Mohalla Athwatoo — was approved under MGNREGA, but the work has yet to be executed.
“The remaining portion of the bundh is also at risk after the recent heavy rains. If it collapses, our lands will be destroyed. Sadly, the department is unmoved,” said a farmer from Panar.
The canal has long sustained farming in the Bonkote–Panar belt, irrigating vast paddy fields. Farmers accuse the RDD of “misplaced priorities,” pointing out that less urgent works are being carried out while this critical project is ignored.
The farming community has now appealed to the district administration to intervene and direct immediate restoration of the bundh to avert what they describe as an impending calamity.
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