Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today said that nearly 20 navigation and interior channels of Dal Lake, covering about 10 kilometres, have been dredged over the past two years as part of extensive cleaning operations across major urban water bodies, rejecting claims that the lake’s canals and backwaters remain clogged with waste, silt and weeds.
Replying to a question by MLA Tanveer Sadiq, the government said 20 navigation and interior channels of Dal Lake, stretching nearly 10 kilometres, were dredged, widened and deepened during 2022–23 and 2023–24 as part of ongoing lake-revival efforts.
The House was informed that the works cover key channels and links around Dole Demb, Houseboat New Baktooup Mohalla, Shamshad vegetable market, Nishat Bund, Jaal Mohalla, Lone Mohalla junction, Fisherman Colony and areas behind Hotel Leeward, along with several outflow channels connecting interior settlements to the main lake.
According to the government, dredging and widening has also been carried out on outflow channels from Nowpora Bridge to Jogilanker Junction, Dar Mohalla, Gudoo Mohalla Shamshan Ghat, Miskeen Bagh near the LCMA office complex, Tang Bagh to Bakhri Mohalla, Tang Bagh to Anchari Mohalla and Dole Demb outflow channel. Batapora Nallah has been desilted over a 1,540-metre stretch. “In addition, Nallah Ameer Khan channel was cleared of reeds and weeds in 2025 through manual labour and is being maintained manually. Reeds and weeds in the Saidakadal–Nowpora channel, including Brari Numbal, are also being removed,” the government said.
It said deweeding, garbage removal and solid waste collection in Dal–Nigeen lakes and interior channels is a routine, recurring annual activity carried out through engaged labourers and lake-cleaning machinery, keeping in view ecological, navigational and aesthetic concerns.
On Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes, the government said the two water bodies were handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) earlier this year. Mechanical dredging of the main water body of Gilsar is currently in progress, while dredging has also been initiated in Khushalsar.
During the recent SEVA Parv, around 5,000 square metres of area in Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes was dredged and nearly 19,000 square metres cleared of Azolla weed.
The government said cleaning operations through outsourcing agencies will be extended to Zonimar, Gilsar and Khushalsar from the next financial year, with DPRs for 2026–27 under preparation. It maintained that no canal or backwater is neglected and said dredging will be carried out in phases in consultation with experts to avoid ecological damage.
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