Jammu, 14 March (H.S.): Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, today conducted a detailed inspection of the irrigation canal network from Belicharana to Suchetgarh to review the progress on ongoing desilting works and assess preparedness of the irrigation infrastructure ahead of the ensuing agricultural season.

During the visit, the Minister inspected various stretches of the canal system, including the distribution network and key syphons to evaluate the pace and quality of desilting operations.

The inspection was undertaken ahead of the scheduled recharging of canals with the objective of ensuring uninterrupted water supply to tail-end areas during the forthcoming irrigation season.

The Minister was accompanied by MLA, Dr. Gharu Ram Bhagat, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Manoj Gupta, SDM R.S. Pura, Anuradha Thakur and other officers from the district administration and Irrigation and Flood Control Department.

With the irrigation and cropping seasons approaching, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has intensified preparations to ensure that canals are thoroughly desilted and restored for smooth and efficient water flow. These efforts aim to guarantee adequate irrigation facilities for the farmers during the crucial agricultural period.

During the inspection, the Minister directed the senior field officers to ensure that all desilting and maintenance works are completed within the stipulated timeframe so that irrigation water can be supplied without disruption to the farming community.

He informed that water is likely to be released into the canal network within the next seven days. He emphasized that all pending desilting and repair works must be completed before the release to ensure the system remains fully functional ahead of the cropping season.

The Minister inspected several key components of the irrigation network including main Ranbir Canal at Belicharana, the canal syphon at Dharab, MRC Muraliyan, D10, D10A and the Tanda Branch at R.S. Pura.

During the inspection, Chief Engineer was directed to improve the overall condition of the canal network by strengthening canal embankments, removing accumulated silt and repairing damaged sections to enhance the efficiency and carrying capacity of the irrigation system.

The Minister further instructed that the silt removed during the desilting process should be promptly cleared from canal embankments and disposed of in a scientific manner so that it does not slide back into the canals or obstruct the free flow of water.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar