Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 21: Residents of a Watchi village in Zainapora hamlet of south Kashmir’s Shopian district are expressing outrage after they removed heaps of dirt during the cleaning of a local irrigation canal, which was dumped directly onto the main road, causing significant inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.
The residents of Watchi said that the road from Watchi to Melhoora has become nearly impassable at several points due to the piles of mud and debris left by the contractor in charge of the desilting operation.
They said that the cleaning was meant to improve water flow to nearby fields, but residents say poor execution has created a new problem.
“Instead of properly disposing of the silt, the contractor dumped it right on the main road,” said Ghulam Nabi, a local resident.
“Now people, especially school children and elderly, are finding it hard to walk or drive. The dust and mud are everywhere.”
Locals claim they have requested the authorities to intervene and direct the contractor not to dump it on the road but no action has been taken yet.
“We are not against canal cleaning, but why should we suffer for their negligence?” asked Shabnam Jan, a local resident. “The road is not just dirty—it’s dangerous. Slippery mud makes accidents more likely.”
Locals have requested concerned authorities to look into the matter and direct the contractor not to dump slit on the road.
Meanwhile, an official said that they have already taken cognizance of the issue and debris will be cleared while no slit will be allowed to put on the road while cleaning of the canal.
