The Beri Pattan Lift Irrigation Scheme, once a symbol of hope for thousands of farmers in the arid Kandi belt of Rajouri district, has become a classic example of bureaucratic apathy, political neglect, and administrative inefficiency. Conceived over a decade ago with the promise of transforming 40,000 kanals of barren land into lush agricultural fields, the scheme today lies abandoned-its incomplete canals a testimony to a failed promise and wasted public money. Launched in 2014 and backed by an allocation of over Rs 50 crore, the project was intended to benefit over 20,000 farmers across villages such as Kangri, Chichka, Bajabian, Behnigalla and Bajwal. The vision was ambitious but realistic: lift irrigation was to bring life to the parched terrain of Sunderbani tehsil, enabling the cultivation of paddy, wheat, vegetables and even horticultural crops. However, more than 10 years on, all that remains are the remnants of a once-promising infrastructure-an unfinished receiving station, an earth-cut canal bed, and a rusting intake platform.
The project’s journey from inception to abandonment is riddled with a string of systemic failures. While the initial stages witnessed some activity, including land acquisition and partial construction, the work inexplicably halted in 2015. Over Rs 15 crore had already been spent by that time. Yet, no clear explanation was provided to the public on why the scheme was shelved. Farmers who had willingly parted with their land for the public good are today left with broken promises and no recompense. Worse, they face soil erosion threats due to the unfinished earthwork-so much so that many have had to refill the canal beds themselves to protect their homes.
The blame for this debacle is multifaceted. At the administrative level, the chief engineer cited contractual litigations and funding issues as the primary hurdles. Additionally, the encroachment of the proposed canal alignment due to growing urbanisation has posed fresh challenges. Yet these reasons, while valid, are symptomatic of deeper issues: lack of planning foresight, absence of inter-departmental coordination, and a failure to adapt the project to evolving realities on the ground. More troubling is the strong perception among locals that political bias played a significant role in the project’s abandonment. Whether or not politics directly scuttled the project, the result has been the same-a community betrayed and taxpayer money wasted.
Furthermore, the impact on the community cannot be overstated. In a region where agriculture is the backbone of rural livelihood, the failure of such a scheme has long-term economic and social consequences. Orange trees planted with the hope of a sustainable irrigation source have withered. Farming aspirations stand dashed. Frustration and disillusionment have taken root in place of promised prosperity.
It is not too late, however, for course correction. The chief engineer’s statement that a new DPR is being considered for the realignment of the canal gives a glimmer of hope. But this must be pursued not as another bureaucratic exercise but as an urgent development priority. A comprehensive audit of the work already done and funds already spent must be undertaken. Legal hurdles must be cleared swiftly and land use planning must consider current and projected urban growth to ensure feasibility. The present administration must act decisively to revive the Beri Pattan scheme, not just to fulfil a past promise but to re-establish public faith in governance. This is a project that could dramatically transform the agrarian economy of the region, reduce rural distress, and promote food security. Moreover, reviving it would signal that public welfare schemes are immune to political transitions-a much-needed assurance in a democracy.
This scheme is a sobering lesson in how even well-conceived projects can be derailed by poor planning, political wrangling and bureaucratic inertia. But it also presents an opportunity. If revived with urgency, transparency, and community involvement, it can still deliver the green revolution it once promised. Let this be not just a story of failure but a turning point for accountable governance and inclusive rural development.
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