SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday informed the Legislative Assembly that desilting of gravity-based irrigation canals, crucial for the agriculture and horticulture sectors, cannot be restricted to a fixed November-December window due to possible wet spells, even as it ruled out any fund crunch for the exercise.
Responding to a written question by National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri, the Jal Shakti Department SLsaid that while desilting operations are generally taken up after the irrigation season ends in November, “it cannot be stated with certainty that November-December is always a feasible period” as precipitation may occur during this time as well.
The government, however, maintained that advance action for canal preparation usually begins in January, February, and March, keeping in mind that agriculture activities commence from mid-April onwards.
“These works are being executed with adequate funding support and are subject to digital monitoring to ensure transparency, efficiency, and timely completion,” the department said in its reply.
Acknowledging that silt, weeds, and debris accumulation leads to clogging and reduced carrying capacity of canals, the government termed it a “continuous natural process” requiring constant attention.
The department further informed the House that a majority of the irrigation network in the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency is gravity-based, comprising canals such as Dadi, Awantipora, Darkhan, Mahind, and others.
Steps are also being taken for restoration and modernization of the network, including execution of small horizontal structures and on-field channels to ensure efficient water distribution, particularly to tail-end fields, it added. (KNS)
