Blocked canal in Pulwama village hampers farmland irrigation

Pulwama , July 7: Scores of farmers in Tumlahaal village of south Kashmir's Pulwama district rued the blockage of an irrigation canal.

The canal flowing from Ranbiara to Tahab was blocked after a road was constructed in the area some six years ago.

According to the farmers, the crucial canal is blocked at several places, forcing them to use water pumps to irrigate their apple and vegetable farms.

"Many of the cultivators are unable to irrigate their orchards as they could not arrange such pumps", they said.

The aggrieved farmers said that the blockage of the irrigation canal enhanced the farming costs significantly.

They said that they brought the issue to the notice of concerned authorities umpteen times, but to no avail.

"During several Back to Villages programmes launched by the administration over the last few years, the senior officials visited our area and noted the issues but nothing has been done so far", said the farmers.

Last week, the farmers from the area pooled their resources and hired a JCB to clear the blockage. However, they alleged that the canal had been encroached by some locals at several places.

"Last year the officials from the Irrigation Department tried to clear the drainage, but the encroachers blocked the process", they said.

The farmers appealed to the concerned authorities to clear the canal and ensure the seamless flow of water.