Tawi water to be drawn for irrigation

In a major move,the J&K coalition government has decided to draw nearly 500 cusecs of water from the Tawi River,which flows down to Pakistan,to meet irrigation requirements.

In a major move,the J&K coalition Government has decided to draw nearly 500 cusecs of water from the Tawi River,which flows down to Pakistan,to meet irrigation requirements. The river water has so far been untapped. The Government maintains that there is no violation of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) as the water is being drawn within permissible limits.

“We are within our right to use this water….we will tap run of the river without constructing a barrage”,said Taj Mohiuddin,PHE and Irrigation minister,the brain behind the project that would not only meet water shortfall for irrigation but also create additional quantity that can be utilised when a sudden need arises.

As per the provisions of the Treaty,the permissible limits of drawing the water is 1500 cusecs that includes 250 cusecs for meeting requirements of power projects,150 cusecs for silt ejecting and 1100 cusecs for irrigation purpose. “The existing norm allows us to use 1100 cusecs for irrigation purpose………we will be utilising 50% of this limit from the left side of river Tawi towards the tail end and use this for irrigation purpose”,said the minister.

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While the preliminary infrastructure has been created for the purpose,the government is all set for its trial run in a day or two. The pump system has been done away with and in its place an earth excavation machined has been placed. For drawing water at various depths,necessary infrastructure has also been put in place besides creating new channels and structures to make it usable in entirety.

The move is likely to yield a double advantage. Now,Ranbir canal water that was used for irrigation purpose can be diverted to augment the supply to upstream areas of Jammu. “These areas used to face acute shortage but diversion from Ranbir canal would meet that purpose as well”,said Dilip Bakshi,Chief Engineer Irrigation Department who is supervising the works related to the project.

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