Srinagar, May 22 (KNO): The Irrigation Construction Division Pampore on Friday said it has retrieved an encroached portion of a canal in Nowgam area during a swift anti-encroachment drive, restoring it for public use.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Irrigation Construction Division Pampore on today carried out a demolition drive in Nowgam area and successfully retrieved an irrigation canal that had been illegally encroached upon recently.
He said the action was taken under the directions of the Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, and under the supervision of the Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control Kashmir, along with the Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer of the concerned division.
“The division had received a written complaint regarding illegal encroachment on the canal. Acting promptly, the department mobilized its field staff and removed the unauthorized structure raised by the encroacher,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the demolition drive was conducted smoothly with the assistance of a Magistrate deputed by the Revenue Department and adequate police deployment to prevent any law-and-order issue during the operation.
“Following the drive, the encroached portion of the canal was fully restored for public use. Local residents appreciated the prompt intervention of the department in safeguarding vital irrigation infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the department reiterated its commitment to protecting irrigation canals and water bodies from encroachments to ensure uninterrupted water supply to agricultural lands, and appealed to the public to report such violations for timely action.—(KNO)