Kasti Garh Canal is located in a difficult terrain about 40 km away from district Doda. A good survey work had been done in fixing the route of this canal. When this canal was constructed, one had to walk 19 km plus steep climb of about 5 kms. The work on this canal was started in 1976 and was completed and commissioned in 1995.
This canal functioned only for a few days as its operation was monitored from a distance of about 20 km away. There was no accommodation for the field engineers.
It is regretted that senior engineers did not take interest in its satisfactory operations.
Deptt have spent Rs. 695.92 lacs on the operation of this canal up to village Kurdhar. The irrigation of village Kurdhar have worked only for few days in a year, as such the above amount spent is a total waste.
Irrigation Department was approached by me as well as by S.S Wazir ADG Police for completion of this canal. We were assured that if amount of Rs. 206 lacs as requested by them from Central Water Commission and PMGSY is released, they would be able to commission this canal before the start of irrigation season. I contacted C.E PMGSY, requesting for release of funds. He assured that damage caused to this canal while constructing Gormal rules would be made good after joint inspection of the damages. He stated that Rs 16 lacs released earlier by him had not been spent by the Irrigation Department on the works for which the payment was made.
As we found that Irrigation Department is not much interested in completion of this canal, we thought we may construct through an NGO. Indepth studies were made. Parties were contacted for funds, we found that there were people to ready to help if proposal was approved by the Government and income tax relief is provided to the parties making investment.
The CM Mehbooba Mufti had directed Irrigation Department to purse the completion of this canal very vigoursly when a deputation of Kasti Garh met her on 10.12.2017. The Department was reminded after about a fortnight to take action on the direction given by the CM but no action has been taken so far.
More than Rs. 7 crore have been spent on the operation and construction of this canal till now but nothing have been achieved.
I am making a suggestion for the completion of this canal. We must search for a hydraulic engineer, serving or retired from J&K state or outside, who is hardworking dependable and honest and who is ready to work and stay in Kasti Garh area. He should prepare a fresh DPR, create accommodation fully furnished for the officials and these officials should be well paid. Weaker section of the canal should be constructed in RCC and proper gate valves should be put for better operation.
Amrik Singh
S. E Retd.
5 B/C, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu
Provide road connectivity to SDH Bhaderwah
The Sub-District Hospital Bhaderwah has not been yet connected with villages Gatha, Gwari, Udrana and other nearby villages even after funds were allotted for this purpose by the then Commissioner Secretary PWD Mohaboob Iqbal during the tenure of Gh Nabi Azad’s Chief Ministership.
The work on black-topping these roads was at its peak during that time but after the change of regime, the work on these roads has come to a halt. With the result, people are facing great hardships. The lengths of these roads, right from village Gatha to Gwari SDD is only 700 mts, whereas that of village Udrana to SDH is 1.02 kms only. It is not understood as to why and how these roads ‘though in progress’ are not being completed by the said agency.
We again request the PWD Minister to get these roads completed in all respects at the earliest.
V P Kotwal
Chobia Bhaderwah
Blacktop Amar Colony lane
This is to draw the attention of the JMC authorities that the Amar Colony Camp road Talab Tiloo, Ward No. 32, has not been repaired yet. It may be mentioned here that all other lanes in the colony have been mettaled, this has been left for reasons known to the concerned department. The lane is in deplorable condition, and causes great inconvenience to the residents of the colony. As such it is requested that this lane too be black-topped at the earliest.
Ravinder Razdan
Amar Colony
Camp Road Talab Tiloo
Village Barota cries for attention
We want to draw the attention of the District Administration Jammu towards the deplorable condition of village Barota in R S Pura tehsil. The road linking the village is not traffic worthy, and as such poses problems to the villagers. The interior lanes of the village are in bad condition. They need to be constructed anew to allow smooth movement of people in the area.
Besides, street lights need to be installed in the village so that people do not face any problem during night hours.
It is expected that the concerned authorities may take action in the matter.
Divya Sudan Shandilya
Barota R S Pura
Construct Keshwan, Srawan roads
There is no doubt that the condition of roads in Kishtwar area is very bad, but the condition of roads Keshwan and Srawan connecting Kishtwar town is quite pathetic and indescribable.
The road has been in the deplorable condition for past several years and nobody has bothered to repair it since then. The road turns into a hell whenever there is a light rainfall. In this condition no driver wants to ply on this road as there is every apprehension of an accident.
To avoid any such eventuality, it is requested that the roads be repaired keeping the interests of the people in view.
Mohd Ali
Srawan Kishtwar
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