BANDIPORA: After more than thirteen years of neglect, authorities have finally initiated the desilting process of irrigation canals in the Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Farmers in Hajin and its neighboring areas expressed gratitude to the district administration, former chairman MC Hajin Irshad Ahmad, Imtiyaz Parray, R&B department, and the Irrigation department for commencing the desilting of a key irrigation canal in the region.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, senior citizen Bashir Ahmad said, “We are thankful to the district administration of Bandipora and the MC Hajin for initiating the cleaning of irrigation canals after more than 13 years.” He emphasized that due to the accumulation of silt, the flow of water had significantly reduced, highlighting the long-pending demand of farmers for desilting the vital irrigation canals that irrigate their agricultural fields.
Locals expressed frustration over past promises of desilting after the paddy season, which never materialized. The Bonikhan irrigation canal serves as the primary source of water for fields in Hajin, and the accumulation of silt has obstructed the free flow of water.
It is noteworthy that the Irrigation and Flood Control Department had failed to desilt the irrigation canals in the area for the last 13 years, leading residents to take matters into their own hands last year and undertake desilting efforts independently.

GOWHAR MAQBOOL