Directs expediting restoration works and timely charging of canal to boost agriculture, greenery and power generation in Ladakh
JK News Today
Leh, April 26: The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, inspected the headworks of the Igoo-Phey Irrigation Canal project at Martselang, a vital infrastructure initiative that supports both irrigation and power generation in the region.
The Igoo-Phey Irrigation Canal, initiated in 1979 and completed in 2005, and spanning approximately 43 km with 30 distributaries, was designed to irrigate nearly 4,500 hectares of land on the left bank of the Indus River. Villages from Igoo to Phey, including Martselang, Changa, Thiksey, Shey, and Chuchot were benefiting from this canal. The canal played a crucial role in enhancing green cover and supporting agricultural livelihoods in the region. However, due to non-maintenance of the canal for many years, villagers are facing acute water shortage.
During the visit, issues related to maintenance of the canal, including budgetary requirements for repair works, and renovation of the damaged wooden bridge at the headworks, were also reviewed and discussed with officials and villagers.
The Lieutenant Governor was informed that out of 43 km stretch, only 25 km section from Martselang to Phey has been made operational and the remaining stretch of 18 km has been non-operational for several years.
The Lieutenant Governor directed that the restoration work be speed up on an 11 km stretch up to Igoo, where water-lift techniques should be adopted to ensure efficient water flow.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed the concerned departments to expedite the completion of the remaining works and ensure timely charging of the canal so that farmers can effectively utilise water for irrigation, thereby, enhancing agricultural productivity and greenery in the region.
In view of the ongoing implementation of Project Him Sarovar across Ladakh, he further directed that the work on digging of ponds be accelerated and completed by May 20, ensuring that the water is made available to villagers for agricultural use at the earliest.
