A part of the renowned water stream flowing through the heart of Pulwama town in south Kashmir has transformed into a filthy drain.
The stream, known as ‘Dhoeb Koal’ (washer men’s stream), which once flowed gracefully from the old bus stand Pulwama to Murran Chowk, has now become a trash bin.
The stream, once a source of income for nearly four dozen households engaged in the laundry business, has turned out to be a waste dumping site.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they have been demanding cleaning and restoration of the ‘Koal’ for the last thirty years, and have expressed frustration over the “authorities’ lack of attention” to the issue.
Mushtaq Ahmad, a local resident, said despite repeated pleas, the stream rarely undergoes cleaning, and resembles a waste dump site. He pointed fingers at shopkeepers along the stream, accusing them of dumping waste into the water.
Owais, another local resident, echoed similar sentiments, blaming the shopkeepers for the deterioration of the stream. He said the authorities have cleaned a portion near Rajpora Chowk; but there is a need for a comprehensive cleaning to restore the stream’s lost glory, he said.
Manzoor Ahmad, a shopkeeper, said authorities have cleaned a part of the canal. “They can’t come daily to clean it. It is our duty to develop a civic sense among the public. People must avoid throwing polythene and other things in the canal,” he said.
He thanked Deputy Commissioner Pulwama for initiating the cleaning process and appealed for continued efforts to restore the entire canal.
The locals have called on the government to take strict action against those responsible for polluting the canal.
“Their identification is easy now as CCTV cameras are already installed in and outside the shops and other establishments along the canal,” they said.
An official from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department informed KNO that a project under the capex budget was approved to address the issue. He said the most polluted section near Rajpora was chosen for cleaning and concreting.
The official said the concreting of the canal bed and embankments has been completed, and the entire project is expected to finish by the end of the year.
“Plans for the installation of filtration gates and a robust cleanliness mechanism are in progress to maintain the canal’s cleanliness,” the official said.
He urged the public to refrain from throwing garbage and other items into the canal to ensure its cleanliness—(KNO)