Villagers in Sunderbani build wooden bridge to revive 70-year-old canal

Sunderbani, Sep 28: Villagers of Upper Bhajwal Panchayat in Sunderbani constructed a wooden bridge to revive a nearly 70-year-old canal, ensuring much-needed irrigation for their fields.

The canal, built nearly 70 years ago by the then government, was designed to irrigate farmlands and boost the production of grains, vegetables, and fruits in the region.

Originating from the Dokhoon forest, it once provided water to large parts of Upper Bhajwal, Nadhani, and Kund, helping farmers in the areas.

However, locals allege that years of neglect by the Irrigation Department, coupled with alleged illegal logging and rampant tampering of surrounding hills, left the canal broken and water flow reduced to a trickle.

Villagers allege that despite repeated visits and hundreds of calls to the department, no action was taken.

As per the local farmers Kewal Krishan, Daljit Kumar, Jeet Kumar, and Rakesh Kumar, they were left with no choice but to come together and build a temporary wooden bridge to restore water flow within a single day.

“Despite our efforts, the department is still in deep slumber,” the villagers lamented, while appealing to Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana and the Chief Minister to intervene.

They stressed that while some canals have been completely damaged, those still in use must be repaired immediately to save agriculture in the region.