Slow work on culvert in Hajin often leaves vast orchard area submerged

Bandipora, Mar 17: Several residents and orchardists are miffed with the R&B department saying that it has failed to construct a culvert in the area, restricting connectivity and submerging a vast area of apple orchards.

The locals said that even though construction started almost two months ago after demolishing the old and dilapidated culvert, the work has been progressing at a snail's pace after being taken up 15 days ago.

Not only has the construction work on the Hajin-Sopore road cut off Bonikhan village's connectivity for two months, but several orchardists in nearby areas are complaining that their apple trees are submerged in water, posing a risk of loss.

"Since the construction of the culvert, a huge portion of the road has been dug up haphazardly," Sonoullah Bhat, a local, said.

Bhat, who was accompanied by other villagers, said that the construction has blocked an irrigation canal and the water has been diverted into their apple orchards. The affected villages are Khudji and Azkhud.

"We are not against the construction work, but our apple trees are submerged in water and it has been almost 10 days," Inayat Ahmad, another villager, said. He said that if the water does not recede, the trees might get damaged.

Besides orchardists, farmers are also aghast as mustard fields have also been affected.

The orchardists are also decrying the lack of access to the orchards. "We can't move tillers and even hand carts as the access is completely blocked," Bhat said, adding that the department should make way for some movement.

Besides the frustration of the orchardists, the Bonikhan villagers are also frustrated. They say, "It has been nearly two months, where shall we go in case there are emergencies? We also have to walk a long distance to avail transport, it is a huge inconvenience."

The Assistant Executive Engineer, R&B Isaq Malik, told Greater Kashmir that the work started almost eight or ten days ago on the project will "complete in a week".

The official said the obstruction caused due to construction was cleared and the waterway was open.

He, however, claimed that the irrigation canal's level had risen and it was the Irrigation & Flood Control Department's responsibility to free the waterway.

"Work will complete soon but it's the Irrigation and Flood Control Department which has to ensure there is no further blockage." However, locals contested the claim.