Water release damages crop in lower Kangra area

Rajiv Mahajan

NURPUR, MARCH 21

Unabated release of water from Shahnehar barrage at Talwara in Punjab since March 17 has created flood-like situation in mand areas of Fatehpur and Indora sub divisions in Kangra district. This artificial calamity has created problems for the farmers of Bahadpur, Badala, Halle, Rajgiri Bhatolli, Malal and Bhogrwan mand areas villages. The wheat and rabi crops in over 400 hectares agricultural land have been damaged. The SDMs of Fatehpur and Indora sub divisions have directed the field revenue staff to conduct a survey of the huge loss to the crops in the area.

Meanwhile, sub divisional officer, Shahnehar headworks civil sub division, Talwara, Ram Parkash in a statement released last evening has denied any breach in Shahnehar canal. He clarified that water discharge had stopped in Shahnehar canal and was being released in the Beas due to repair of Mukerian Hydel channel being carried out since March 17.

He said the intimation of water discharge had been passed on to the district administration, Kangra and local authorities on March 16 and it was the responsibility of the Himachal Pradesh authorities to ensure that people did not reside in the river side.

However, Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Rakesh Prajapati categorically denied the claim of Shahnehar authorities giving any advance intimation to the district and local authorities on March 16 before releasing water in the Beas. He said no communiqué had been received in this connection.

Rampant mining in the Beas has altered the course of river and partially damaged a bridge at Haler village. Its existence is also under threat due to Shahnehar water release which will continue till April 30.

Blame game

• Shahnehar Subdivisional officer said the intimation of water discharge was passed on to the district adminstration, Kangra, and local authorities on March 16 through wireless messaging system
• However, Kangra DC denied the claim of giving any prior intimation to the district and local authorities on March 16 before releasing water in the Beas. He said no communiqué had been received in this connection.