Bijbehara residents demand charging of Dadi Canal for orchard irrigation
Authorities assure action by tomorrow
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 09 (KNO): Residents of various areas in the Bijbehara hamlet of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district are demanding the immediate charging of the Dadi Canal.
According to locals who spoke to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Dadi Canal irrigates hundreds of acres of orchards, and with the spraying season about to begin, there is an urgent need to charge the canal.
Mukhtar Ahmad, a local, said the repair work on the canal usually begins once the spring season starts, which causes delays for farmers. Since the spraying season has started, the department should expedite the charging of the canal to prevent inconvenience to the people, he said.
Mohammad Abbas, another local, said farmers require water for spraying pesticides and fungicides every 6-10 days, and the Dadi Canal is their primary source of water for irrigation.
“In the absence of water, farmers would face significant challenges, as the Dadi Canal is crucial for irrigating hundreds of acres of orchards in the region,” he added.
The residents have urged higher authorities to address the issue promptly and ensure the immediate charging of the canal.
An official informed KNO that they have already decided to charge the canal tomorrow (Sunday) to mitigate the farmers’ difficulties.
“All necessary arrangements have been made, and the canal will be charged by tomorrow evening to ensure uninterrupted water supply for irrigation purposes,” he said—(KNO)