Legislator Highlights Pollution Issues as Govt. Allocates Rs 44.85 Crore for Canal Modernization and Rs 16.89 Crore for Flood Protection Efforts.
Suhail Khan
Sopore, Mar 10 : Despite being home to the Jhelum River and Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, the Sopore constituency continues to face a severe water crisis. legislator Irshad Rasool Kar has shed light on the underlying causes of the crisis, while the government has announced significant funding for modernization and flood protection projects to address the issue.
The Root of the Crisis
In an interview, Sopore MLA Irshad Rasool Kar expressed deep concern over the worsening water situation in the region. He highlighted that nearly 80% of the water from the Driangar flows directly into the Jhelum River, carrying pollutants that render the water unfit for consumption. “We have effectively turned the Jhelum into a large drain,” Kar lamented. “The water from Wular Lake is insufficient to meet the needs of the entire constituency, leading to frequent water shortages.”
Kar pointed out that the existing water infrastructure in Sopore is outdated, with many schemes dating back nearly 70 years. “Our irrigation system was established during the reign of Sultan Zainul Abidin, popularly known as “Budshah,”Canals like Zaingeer and Lal Kull, which originate in Kupwara and end in Sopore, were designed for water transportation and irrigation centuries ago. While we have tried to modernize these systems, climate change has exacerbated the crisis. Madhumati Nalla has dried up, and the Kishen Ganga is now primarily used for electricity generation, further depleting our water sources,” he explained.
The MLA also criticized the decades-long neglect of water infrastructure in the Constituency. “For the past 40 years, there has been no significant investment in repairing or maintaining these vital systems. Desilting and proper funding have been ignored, leading to the current crisis,” he said. However, Kar remains optimistic that the current government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, will prioritize revitalizing these waterways.
Government Steps In with Major Funding
In response to the crisis, the Jammu and Kashmir government has allocated substantial funds for modernization and flood protection projects in the Sopore constituency.
A government press release reads, Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, today informed the House that flood protection works worth Rs. 16.89 crore, approved under NABARD for Ningli Nallah, are currently under execution.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Irshad Rasool Kar in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed that a DPR for an amount of Rs. 44.85 crore has been prepared and shall be part of the shelf of projects to be taken up under NABARD funding for modernization of Zaingeer Canal. Besides, one work has been completed under FMP Phase II and one work is under execution under UT Capex.
He said that the survey for framing of DPR for the Khursi Nallah D/s National Highway (Sopore constituency) has been completed and DPR will be framed accordingly.
He informed that WSS Zaingeer, WSS Shiva (proposed) and WSS Saidpora (proposed) are partly dependent on Zanageer canal as the source, WSSs Mazbugh, Checkpora Nowpora, Nowpora Kalan, Bohripora Sheeraz Colony, Bohripora Hamdanabad and Sidiq Colony and Model Town, Wadoora and Nathipora are dependent on Pohru Nallah as the source while WSSs Takiybal Wagub (under execution) and Sharkwara Rural are dependent on Ningli Nallah as the source.
He said that the DPRs are based on a detailed survey that included assessment of quantum and quality of the source. He said that in these schemes, provision of rapid sand filtration plants has been kept to meet the BIS 10500 quality parameters. Besides, surface water has been taken as a source that has sufficient discharge capacity thus ensuring sustainability.
While sharing details of expenditure, the Minister said that an amount of Rs. 3.80 crore has been expended for maintenance and upkeep of various Nallahs of Sopore Constituency under various schemes like FMP Phase II UT Capex, M&R and PRI grants besides NABARD the press release further reads.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
