De-silting of canals to completed by March 31, recharging from April 1: Div Com (J)

Jammu: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer Wednesday conducted a day-long tour to inspect ongoing de-silting work of the Ranbir Canal from Akhnoor Head to tail end at Arnia.
During the tour, Chief Engineer Irrigation and flood Control, Himesh Manchanda, Executive Engineers of concerned divisions accompanied the Div Com.
The Div Com started the tour with inspection of Tawi Lift Canal pump House. He took a round of each section and checked log books, besides overall functioning.
The Chief Engineer Irrigation informed that there are a total 6 pumps installed. The Div Com instructed the officers to install a flow meter for its better functioning. He also asked them to explore possibilities of setting up a Sakada system project.
Meanwhile, the Div Com inspected various spots where de-silting work has been executed from Canal Head Akhnoor up to tail end at border area Arnia. He inspected spots at Canal road to canal Head, Paloura, Mishriwala, Satwari, Miran Sahib, Pandorian, Arnia and other places.
The Chief Engineer Irrigation apprised the Div Commissioner that the Jammu province is being irrigated through a network of irrigation canals and distribution network starting from Chenab and Ravi basins.
The policy of the department is to create more potential by providing irrigation facilities to the farmers through the available natural resources to make optimal use of available water.
The major and medium canals of Jammu are, Main Ranbir canal, it provides irrigation for Jammu, RS Pura and Bishnah Tehsils. The main canal length is 60 KM with a distribution network of approx 400 km which covers 489 villages with a total CCA of 38608 ha.
New Partap canal, provides irrigation to Akhnoor and Jourian tehsils- the main canal length is 3369 KM with distribution network of approx 156.82 KM and CCA of 9028 ha with a discharge of 438 cusecs.
It was informed that 23 works are in progress in division I Jammu, 25 works in division 2 and 22 works are being executed in division Akhnoor.
The Div Com checked flow gauges and other details of Canal Head near Rajinder Park. He also took stock of desilting works at various points. The Div Com said that Ranbir Canal plays a major role in irrigating much of the agricultural areas of Jammu and therefore needs immediate attention.
The Div Com took strong note of the public dumping garbage in the canal. He directed officers from Irrigation & Flood Control Department to take appropriate action under rules. He also suggested other measures for solid waste management and control.
While inspecting the canal, the Div Com directed that regular signage and water level gauges be marked at various stretches in the canal.
At Akhnoor Lift Station, the Div Com checked flow level records and directed the department to maintain the log book.
The Div Com also inspected the Partap Canal Head, which supplies water to Jourian and surrounding border areas and sought flow and water level details.
He took strong note of the unsatisfactory condition of the Ranjan Lift Irrigation System and sought a report on the reason for the degrading pumping system and reducing length and discharge in the canal.
It was informed that 522697 Mts length of main Ranbir canal and its network, 328040 Mts length of New Partap canal and its network, 126000 Mts length of Kathua canal, 161600 Mts length of Raavi canal and its network, 70600 Mts length of Tawi canal and its network will be cleared till the closure of year 2022.
Later, the Div Com inspected de-silting works in irrigation canals of Arnia and surrounding border areas. He directed the concerned executive engineers to expedite the work and ensure completion of the works by March 31.
The Div Com also stressed that the recharging of canal be started from April 1 in a phased manner so that the farmers in need can avail better Irrigation facilities on time.