Sumbal : AEE, Mech. Irrigation Sumbal, Er. M Aasif Ali told that they have been successful in rectifying, repairing and then operating the defunct Canal regulating Gate of the Markundal Lift Irrigation Scheme after more than 20 years. The AEE, Er. M Aasif Ali said they are grateful to worthy Chief Engineer, I&FC Department, Kashmir, Er. Naresh Kumar for his full support and guidance who is personally monitoring the development and pace of work at the scheme. He thanked AEE Irrigation Division Sumbal Er. Khurshid Ahmad for his efforts and work at the scheme and also thanked all his staff/Engineers and the field mechanics and workers who are tirelessly working for the revival of the said scheme. He told that it was the first step in the process of re-activation of the scheme and was achieved successfully. Recently the Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Kmr. Er. Naresh Kumar paid a visit to the scheme and directed the concerned officers to expedite the process of re-activation of the scheme. The Markundal Lift irrigation scheme used to be called the “Heart of Irrigation in Shadipora”as it provided large quantity of water to irrigate vast area of land including water for other purposes. The scheme was commissioned in 1954 with a capacity of 105 cusec i.e 2973 litres per second. The low bed level in river Jehlum, excessive extraction of sand and other reasons including the accumulation of silt in the canal has lead to the closure of the scheme about 20 years ago. Er. M Aasif Ali told that in 2020, he requested the worthy Chief Engineer, Er. Naresh Kumar, the then Superintending Engineer and the then Executive Engineer, to re-activate the defunct scheme and subsequently Er. M Aasif Ali made hectic efforts in its revival by proposing various strategies in overcoming technical difficulties for its re-activation. Er. Aasif Ali further said that by the grace of GOD, they are hopeful to re-activate the scheme soon and are working on it.
