PULWAMA, OCTOBER 27: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, today chaired a comprehensive review of the Hydraulics Sector of the district, reviewing the functioning and progress of Irrigation Division Pulwama, Irrigation Division Tral, PHE Division Pulwama, PHE Division Awantipora, ICD Pampore, FCD Kakapora and other allied hydraulics-related works.
The review meeting was held with the concerned officers, wherein detailed presentations were made on the physical and financial progress of schemes, irrigation infrastructure, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), UT Capex and other ongoing and proposed works.
During the review of the irrigation sector, it was informed that Pulwama district has a total geographical area of Approx 1.09 Lakh hectares, with a Net Sown Area of 33,760 hectares and a total cropped area of 55,023 hectares under Kharif and Rabi crops.
The Net Irrigated Area is about 21,000 hectares, constituting around 63 percent of the cultivated command area, while the Gross Irrigated Area stands at about 37,000 hectares.
Around 12,000 hectares are rain-fed. The meeting was also informed that the district has major surface-water resources including the River Jhelum, Rambiara Nallah, Wankran Nallah, Sasara Nallah, Romshi Nallah, Watal Ara Nallah, Aripal Nallah and Lar Nallah.
The DC stressed the need for scientific and evidence-based planning of irrigation and water-resource infrastructure and directed the concerned officers to obtain an updated aquifer map from the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing.
He said the mapping would help identify groundwater potential, water channels, perennial and rain-fed areas and guide scientific planning of borewells, irrigation and flood-control works.
He directed that proposals for the next financial year be prepared on the basis of aquifer mapping and proper ground-level assessment.
The DC further directed that projects be planned according to actual ground requirements and future needs, with proper field assessment before formulation and execution. The review of the Jal Shakti/PHE sector focused on the Jal Jeevan Mission and Har Ghar Jal.
The meeting was informed that 49,013 households have been taken up for coverage.
The DC directed the concerned officers to ensure 100 percent tap-water coverage, complete pending certification and obtain regular feedback from field-level functionaries to address bottlenecks promptly. The chair was apprised about the requirement for five water tankers for smooth water-supply arrangements.
He directed that the requirement be addressed on priority and assured that the District Administration would facilitate the provision of five tankers wherever required. Delayed schemes, including the Lethpora scheme, were also reviewed.
The DC directed the concerned authorities to resolve land, compensation and other bottlenecks on priority so that the affected works are taken forward without further delay. The status of the Pulwama Town Water Supply Project and schemes under NABARD, UT Capex, District Capex and other funding heads was also reviewed. The DC directed timely execution, optimum utilisation of resources and close monitoring of all ongoing works.
The DC directed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination and ensure that schemes do not face avoidable procedural, land, technical or field-level delays. He stressed that proper planning, ground-level assessment and timely execution must go hand in hand.
Emphasising proactive planning, the DC observed that lack of funds should not become a constraint where sound planning and properly assessed proposals are in place, and directed officers to prepare comprehensive, technically sound and need-based proposals.
He further directed regular field-level monitoring, with special focus on delayed works, groundwater sustainability, water quality, functionality of existing infrastructure and timely completion of ongoing projects.
The meeting was attended by ADDC Pulwama Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, CPO Pulwama, Aashiq Khanday, SE, Hydraulics Circle Pulwama/Shopian, XEN, Irrigation Division Pulwama/Tral, XEN, PHE Division Pulwama/Awantipora, XEN, FCD Kakapora, XEN, ICD Pampore, XEN, MID Awantipora, XEN, PHE Mechanical Awantipora, XEN, PHE Ground Water Drilling, Srinagar; and Project Manager, DPMU Pulwama, besides other concerned officers and officials.
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