Bandipora town residents demand regular cleansing of water sources, canals

The residents of the main town in Bandipora district headquarters are requesting regular cleaning and desiltation of irrigation canals, drains and other streams. The residents of Plan Bandipora said that with agricultural activities at their peak at this time of the year, farmers have cleaned the canals on their own to irrigate the fields.

“It has provided us relief from stench and garbage which daily flows and clogs the canals,” Irfan Ahmad Bhat, one resident, said.

They said for the rest of the year, the canals remain unattended and turn into breeding grounds for various diseases. The residents said the administration should ensure the canals are cleaned on a regular basis so that they don’t become dumping areas for those who lack civic sense. “As soon as the agricultural season ends, the channels will again look like garbage dumps, an ugly sight for everyone,” Bhat added. He said the department should focus on small canals and other water sources too and clean them regularly to avoid these unsightly scenes.