Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary has said that farmers will get sufficient water for irrigation to the agricultural fields during the forthcoming Kharif season.The Minister was speaking after releasing water in Main Ranbir Canal and New Pratap Canal from Head Works Site of MRC, Jammu at Irrigation Department, Sub-Division, Mishriwalla and from Head Works Site, NPC in Akhnoor respectively.MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma, Chief Engineer, I&FC Rajeev Gandotra, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle, Jammu KK Magotra and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the water has been released in Main Ranbir canal and New Pratap Canal after carrying out proper de-silting works in both the canals by the department. Every year, the canals are closed for two months for carrying out annual de-silting and renovation of both the canals, he added.
He further said the de-silting works are carried out to increase the discharge capacity of the canals and providing water to the villages at the far end of the canals.Meanwhile, MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma lauded the efforts of the department in carrying out desilting works properly and hoped that the farmers will witness an increased flow of water in the canals this year.The Main Ranbir canal having a total length of approximately 60 km and intake capacity of 1,400 cusecs provides water for irrigation to more than 38,608 hectares area in 469 villages of Jammu and Samba.The Ranbir Canal which originates from left bank of river Chenab has 400 km distribution network which caters to the irrigation water needs of various agricultural fields from Akhnoor to R S Pura.The New Pratap Canal having a length of 33.50 km and discharge capacity of 400 cusecs will irrigate an area of 9,028 hectares.The NPC which originates from right bank of river Chenab has 157 km long distribution system which caters to irrigation needs of agricultural fields in Akhnoor and Chhamb.