Waterlogging woes: Plan for permanent solution awaits nod

Waterlogging continues to wreak havoc on agricultural fields in several villages of the district, with authorities preparing a long-term rehabilitation plan to tackle the issue. The proposal, aimed at providing permanent relief, has been submitted to the district and state governments for approval, sources revealed.

Although the Irrigation Department has deployed pumps to drain water from the fields, officials say the new project includes the installation of permanent infrastructure to channel excess water into irrigation canals or drains. "Most of the affected areas are low-lying and seepage from canals and nearby water bodies appears to be the main cause," an official said.

The villages most affected by waterlogging include Akbarpur Natol, Jeeta Kherli, Syarouli, Kanauli, Mandkola, Mandnaka, Durenchi, Bighavali, Mirpur, Chhayansa, Mathepur, Mahluka, Naurangabad, Hunchpuri Kalan, Hunchpuri Khurd, Ransika, Jalalpur, Ribad, Kontalaka, Kamarchand and Kurthala.

Residents blame illegal fishing ponds and poor infrastructure for the crisis. "Seepage from fishing ponds, which are illegally filled using water from the Gurugram canal, has left nearly 10,000 acres submerged under one to two feet of water year-round," said Gajraj, a resident of Hathin. He said, "These ponds are built without following proper standards and the illegal pipelines connected to the canal have worsened the situation."

"The district administration has repeatedly directed the Irrigation Department to prepare and submit a plan, but farmers like us are yet to see any relief," said Daya Pahalwan, a resident of Madnaka village. He lamented that hundreds of acres of farmland have remained unusable for years.

The issue, locally known as ‘Sem,’ has persisted for over two decades, leaving farmers unable to cultivate their fields. "Despite visits by officials, including the Deputy Commissioner, no concrete solution has been implemented. Farmers like us are helpless, as our land remains submerged," said Rameshwar, a farmer from Chhainsa village.

Mohit Vashisht, Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, confirmed, "A plan to address the issue has been prepared and submitted for formal approval." Farmers in the affected areas now await action to resolve this long-standing crisis.