Villagers, including farmers, have been staging a dharna at Rithal village for over a week, demanding that the authorities refrain from concreting the bed of the Bhalaut sub-branch (BSB) canal. They claim the move would adversely affect groundwater recharge in the area.
“At present, water flowing through the BSB canal not only helps recharge groundwater but also maintains the water table. As a result, tubewells in the area remain effective for both drinking water and irrigation purposes. However, the authorities are in the process to concrete the canal bed by laying a cement lining, which we oppose in the interest of preserving groundwater,” said Preet Singh, vice-president of the All India Kisan Sabha.
He clarified that the farmers were not opposed to the concreting of the canal walls, but objected to the proposal to concrete the canal bed.
“Everyone has an equal right to drinking water, but if this sub-branch canal bed is concreted, ground water for drinking purposes may not be available in the future. The canal is currently lined with blocks, but once it is fully cemented with RCC, the possibility of groundwater recharge from below will be completely eliminated,” said Sumit Dalal, another farm leader.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda visited Rithal village and met the protesting villagers. He listened to their grievances and issued on-the-spot directives to officials to accept the villagers’ demands. He also wrote a DO letter to the Chief Minister in this respect.
On the occasion, the protesters complained that the lining of the JLN canal bed in 2022 had completely halted groundwater recharge. Consequently, the water in nearby tube wells and hand pumps has turned entirely saline. To make matters worse, the government is now proceeding to line the bed of the BSB canal as well. This move is expected to severely exacerbate the drinking water crisis in the region, making it extremely difficult to access water for both drinking and irrigation purposes, they added.
Hooda said following the reason, the protesters are demanding that the canal bed be kept unlined (earthen) from the head to the tail end. Furthermore, they have demanded the construction of ghats (bathing steps) at every bridge along the BSB canal, as well as the construction of access steps on both banks at appropriate intervals. The villagers have also demanded that all villages situated within a 10-kilometre radius on either side of the JLN canal be provided with drinking water directly from the canal.
Former CM affirmed that the villagers’ demands were legitimate. “I will raise the demands at every level, from the administrative officials to the state government, and will make every possible effort to ensure that these demands are fulfilled,” Hooda added.
