Amid Dry Spell, Water Storage Dam Built in 2013 Turns into Playfield in Dooru, Anantnag
Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag: A water storage dam constructed in 2013 in the Cheeni Gund area of Dooru, Anantnag district, at a cost of crores of rupees, has failed to serve its intended purpose of irrigating at least 2,000 kanals of agricultural land in several nearby villages. Despite the significant investment, the dam has never been fully functional, leaving local farmers frustrated.
The project was initially aimed at providing irrigation facilities to several villages, including Kreed Nowpora, Mehmoodabad, Bragan, and Dooru, which experience severe water shortages during the summer months. However, after its construction, the dam was damaged by the 2014 floods and has since remained non-operational.
Speaking to the Press Trust of Kashmir (PTK), Javaid Ahmad Khan of the Dooru Citizens Forum expressed his frustration, saying, “In 2013, the Department of Irrigation in Anantnag started work on this water storage dam to support several villages in the Dooru area. However, since the 2014 floods caused minor damage to the dam, it has not been functional, leaving farmers in a difficult situation.”
Khan criticized the authorities for not taking the necessary steps to repair and operationalize the dam, particularly during the ongoing dry spell. “We have repeatedly requested the concerned department to address the issue, but our pleas have gone unanswered. It’s unfortunate that today, instead of irrigating fields, the dam has turned into a playfield for local youth who now play cricket there,” he added.
In response, Mohd Younis, Junior Engineer of the Dooru Subdivision, confirmed that the dam had sustained damage during the 2014 floods, leading to leakages. “The storage dam suffered leakages at several points due to the floods, causing water to escape. We have already prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the dam’s repair, but it has yet to be approved by higher officials,” Younis told PTK.
Residents are calling for immediate action to repair the dam and make it functional, emphasizing the dire need for irrigation water in the area, especially during periods of drought.
