JAMMU: A deputation of residents and local representatives from villages along the Suchetgarh belt, led by former Minister, Vice President of J&K Jat Sabha and senior BJP leader Choudhary Sukhnandan Kumar, met Divisional Commissioner Jammu and submitted a memorandum seeking urgent renovation and desilting of the nallah from Gharana towards Aik Nallah at Nekowal-Jeora.
The delegation apprised the Divisional Commissioner Jammu of the problems being faced by residents of Gulabgarh, Partap Kote, Gharana and Gharani due to obstruction and stagnation of water in the existing drainage channel. According to the memorandum, flood/waste water originating from the Tanda area through Phian Tibba and adjoining areas has traditionally been flowing through the villages towards the Pakistan side.
However, the delegation claimed that the flow has now been obstructed after a defence/bund wall was created on the other side, resulting in the water flowing back towards the agricultural fields on the Indian side.
The residents said the situation has led to stagnation and backflow of water, damaging standing crops as well as agricultural land, thereby posing a serious concern for farmers, particularly with the rainy season approaching. Demand for immediate cleaning and renovation.
The deputation urged the Divisional Commissioner to issue directions to the concerned departments for immediate cleaning, desilting and renovation of the nallah, so that the accumulated water can be diverted towards Aik Nallah at Nekowal-Jeora. The memorandum specifically seeks intervention for the stretch covering Gharana to Aik Nallah, Nekowal-Jeora, Panchayat Abdal and Panchayat Gharana in Tehsil Suchetgarh.
The residents maintained that restoration of the natural drainage route is essential to prevent further damage to agricultural land and crops and to ensure proper flow of water before the rainy season intensifies.
The delegation also informed the Divisional Commissioner that the matter had earlier been taken up with the XEN, Flood Control & Irrigation Department, Jammu. Following directions from the Commissioner, the concerned Junior Engineer had already visited the site to assess the situation. The residents have now sought that the inspection be followed by time-bound execution of desilting and restoration work, instead of allowing the problem to worsen during the monsoon. The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Ramesh Kumar, after hearing the deputation, assured the members that their demand would be taken up with the concerned departments and necessary action would be initiated to address the drainage problem.
The deputation included Sarvan Kumar, Numberdar, Panchayat Abdal; former Sarpanch Gurdial Singh Soni of Gharana; Sarpanch Arjun Singh; and Bahadur Singh, besides other local representatives and residents.
The delegation stressed that the issue is not merely one of drainage but directly concerns the protection of agricultural land, crops and livelihoods of residents living along the affected belt, and therefore requires priority intervention before further water accumulation causes greater damage.
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