Farmers want more water in Kali Bein

DASUYA/SULTANPUR LODHI: With farmers along the entire stretch of Kali Bein pumping out water from the polluted rivulet for paddy transplantation, they want an increase in the quantum of water being released into the Bein.

As tube wells are also being used, farmers hold that more water in Bein will help maintain the underground water table, as hand-pumps have already gone dry partially or completely.

“We have been using water from the Bein to irrigate our fields along it. The quantum of water being released into the rivulet from Mukerian Hydel Channel at Terkiana should be increased, so that reliance can be more on it rather than over exploiting the underground water through tube wells,” says Dalbir Singh of Navin Abadi Gallowal, whose land is along the upstream stretch of the Bein.

Sukhdev Singh Fauji of the same village says they use Bein water for paddy transplant. “Hand-pumps have gone completely or partially dry as tube wells suck most of the underground water due to the paddy season. Release of water should be increased so that the underground water table can be recharged. Apart from irrigation, we are also using this water for cattle,” says Sajjan Singh of Chhorrian village near Budho Barkat, also along its upstream stretch. Along the downstream stretch, too, farmers are facing deficiency of water in Bein. Balwinder Singh of Saroowal village says he and other farmers are using water from Bein, but it is insufficient.

“More water in the rivulet will also increase the efficiency of tube wells,” he adds. Drainage department superintending engineer Anil Sood says at present, they are discharging over 125 cusec of water into it. Sources in the department say more water can be easily released in the Bein. “Earlier, over 200 cusec water was running in Bein, and it never caused any problem in the last six years. Now too, it should be increased,” says environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal.