JAMMU: Awami National Conference has expressed serious concern over reducing Ranbir Canal to a dumping place. In a press statement issued here, ANC Provincial President, Gian Singh raised serious questions over the seriousness of the concerned authorities. Expressing disappointment over this, Singh said that Ranbir Canal, a tributary of River Chenab, is source of water for irrigation for different areas of Jammu besides usage of water for other purposes, but rather than serving the purpose, it has become only a cause of concern for the people.
Rather than looking anything like a canal, it appears more like a nallah, and a source of pollution. The stagnated water at few places in the canal is also a breeding place for the insects and mosquitoes which further act as agents of carrying forward several infectious diseases, Singh added.Singh has demanded proper vigilance by Irrigation Department as responsibility of maintaining the canal solely lies with the Irrigation Department and it should prevent the people from throwing garbage and other waste in the canal.
“The Irrigation Department has its own watch and ward staff which has to ensure cleanliness and keep a watch on the people throwing waste into the canal”, Singh further said and added, “There should be sign boards with warnings and other deterrents in place, but unfortunately, it is not”. Singh urged the concerned authorities to take concrete steps for maintaining proper cleanliness in canal as hundreds of cityites go for a morning walk in the park alongside the canal but the pollution somewhere defeats the purpose.