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| 3 years after expiry of deadline, multi-purpose Kokhyal check dam far from completion | | | Rakesh Sambyal
KATHUA, Oct 1 : The phrase "one step forward, two steps back", seems fit over the functioning of Irrigation and Flood Control department, as three years since expiry of deadline for completion in year 2010, the multi-purpose check dam at Bajoo nallah near village Kokhyal is yet to complete.
The proposed dam was envisaged to use the water flowing towards Pakistan for irrigation purposes, to encourage tourism and to promote fishery in district Kathua.
Sources informed Early Times that the project was started in the year 2007, with sanctioned cost of Rs. 25.85 Crores and the deadline for completion of project was fixed for year 2010, but three years have been passed since deadline was expired, less than half of work has been completed.
They further informed that after the completion of construction work on check dam a lake of 3 km radius would be formed and the stored water would be used to irrigate land of dozens of adjoining villages of Kokhyal.
"The administration has also plans to use the water body for tourism purpose by providing boating and other recreational facilities besides there is a plan to give boost to fishery. All these things will collectively play a great role in generating employment and economic up-liftment of local people", sources said. An official seeking anonymity informed that the government had started the construction work with great pomp and show but due to lack of funds, sooner the work came to halt twice or thrice. "Presently, the construction work has been suspended for the last two years, due to fact that the land owners from whom the land was to be acquired, were not paid a single penny, though the department had promised to get work started only after paying the compensation", sources said, adding that due to non-payment of liabilities the construction company pulled his hands off and gave up construction work. The locals Pappu Kumar, Som Raj, Som Mistry, Rahul Andotra, Vijay Kumar, Subash Chand told that they had given their land for the welfare of farmers and local people with great hopes. "But now we feel sorry as we are totally dependent on land which is only source of earning livelihood for us and too has gone", they said.
Lamenting the local administration and the government, they further said that the government had promised to pay not only the compensation of the land acquired which is about Rs. 4 Crores, but also for the losses suffered by farmers annually. They alleged that despite repeated appeals to local administration and performing demonstrations, now they had started getting comensation after a long time.
MLA Charanjeet Singh Jasrotia told that he was very much concerned with the project and had taken up the matter with the minister concerned. "More over in district development board meeting I had also raised the issue, following which the government had released an amount of 3.61 crore. The affected people had started getting compensation and construction work will also start", he said. |
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