LJHP canal to restrict visitors’ entry with multiple barricades

Baramulla, Jul 17: Following the frequent drowning incidents in the Lower Jehlum Hyder Project, (LJHP) canal in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, including the recent tragedy that claimed the lives of three individuals, including two minors, the LJHP authorities has decided to restrict public access to the canal area and is constructing three barriers, especially in locations that remain unfenced.

The aim of these protective measures is to safeguard the lives of visitors who sometimes accidentally fall into the canal or enter it intentionally for bathing, ultimately losing their lives.

Notably, the LJHP canal, which stretches across 7 kanals of land with a large reservoir at Peerniya, has already claimed dozens of lives. The recent drowning incident, which took three more lives, has ignited debate over the failure of LJHP authorities to implement proper safety measures to protect visitors.

People say if the canal had not been declared a restricted area earlier, then why did the department fail to implement basic protective measures such as fencing and warning signboards along the entire stretch of the canal to alert people of the dangers?

After the heavy toll on human lives, the LJHP department has now finally decided to declare the area as restricted. As part of the new safety measures, three protective barriers will be installed at key locations along the canal, particularly in areas that are currently unfenced.

These new protective measures are of utmost importance, as power canals are inherently restricted zones and cannot be treated as picnic spots or recreational areas. However, the LJHP canal has long remained openly accessible, with minimal or no protective infrastructure.

An official from the department, said that in the case of the LJHP canal, the area spans a vast stretch of land through which roads connect several villages. In addition, the project includes two large sports grounds that is regularly used by local youth.