Canal Cleaning and Renovation Completed in Bara Panchayat, Farmers Raise Concerns Over Incomplete Encroachment Removal
Saharsa: The long-awaited cleaning and renovation of the irrigation canal connecting Bara Panchayat to Mahadev Bharna in Saharsa district has been completed. While the project has raised hopes of improving irrigation facilities for local farmers, many have questioned the effectiveness of the encroachment removal process. According to them, cleaning the canal alone will not ensure its success unless all encroachments are removed and uninterrupted water flow is restored throughout its entire length.
Local residents said the canal has long been a vital source of irrigation for agricultural fields in the region. Thousands of farmers depend on it to irrigate crops such as paddy, maize, wheat, and pulses. Over the years, however, the canal became clogged with silt and overgrown vegetation, while illegal encroachments at several locations obstructed the natural flow of water. As a result, farmers were forced to rely on private irrigation methods, significantly increasing their cultivation costs.
Recently, the Irrigation Department carried out desilting, cleaning, and renovation work on the canal. In several sections, efforts were also made to restore the canal's original width and depth to improve water flow. Although farmers welcomed the initiative, they argued that the project remains incomplete because encroachments have not been fully removed.
Farmers alleged that illegal occupation continues along several stretches of the canal. In some places, people have filled portions of the canal with soil to create access roads, while in others, cultivation and unauthorized construction have narrowed its width. These obstructions, they said, either block or significantly reduce the flow of water. According to the farmers, unless these barriers are removed, adequate water will not reach the tail-end areas of the canal even during the monsoon season.
Local farmers further claimed that while silt removal was carried out using heavy machinery, the action against encroachments was not implemented uniformly. They alleged that encroachments by influential individuals remained untouched, whereas action was taken only against smaller violations. They have demanded that the administration conduct a fair and impartial drive to make the entire canal free from encroachment.
Agricultural experts believe that the success of any irrigation project depends not only on cleaning and renovation but also on maintaining continuous water flow. If even a single section of the canal remains blocked, the efficiency of the entire irrigation system is affected, leaving farmers at the far end without sufficient water for their fields.
Farmers also pointed out that water has not been released regularly into the canal for several years, forcing them to depend on diesel pumps and borewells. This has increased irrigation costs and placed an additional financial burden on small and marginal farmers. They believe that if the canal becomes fully functional, irrigation expenses will decline and agricultural productivity will improve significantly.
The farming community has urged the Irrigation Department and the district administration to ensure a regular water supply through the canal. They have also requested a comprehensive survey of the canal route to identify and remove all encroachments so that water can flow freely from one end to the other. In addition, they recommended periodic cleaning and monitoring to prevent future problems caused by silt accumulation or fresh encroachments.
Officials from the Irrigation Department stated that the cleaning and renovation work was completed according to the approved plan. They added that if complaints regarding encroachments or technical issues are received, they will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken. The department assured farmers that it remains committed to improving irrigation facilities in the region.
Residents have also requested that a joint inspection of the canal be conducted before water is released. Such an inspection, they said, would help identify locations where water flow could be obstructed, allowing authorities to take corrective measures in advance and prevent future disputes.
Experts emphasize that strengthening irrigation infrastructure is essential for increasing farmers' incomes in an agriculture-dependent state like Bihar. Regular canal maintenance, timely removal of encroachments, uninterrupted water supply, and continuous monitoring are key factors in improving agricultural productivity. Proper implementation of these measures would reduce farmers' dependence on expensive alternative irrigation systems.
For now, the completion of the canal cleaning and renovation work has generated optimism among farmers in Bara Panchayat. However, they insist that the project's true benefits will be realized only when the canal is made completely free of encroachments and a smooth, uninterrupted flow of water is ensured up to its tail end. Farmers are now awaiting further action from the district administration and the Irrigation Department to determine whether the project can deliver the expected improvements in irrigation and agricultural development.
