Ganderbal Power Canals Lack Safety Measures, Posing Risks to Residents and Livestock

Major power canals in Ganderbal district, Kashmir, lack fencing and safety barriers, creating significant risks for local residents. The canals serving the Upper Sindh Hydropower Project (USHP) Stage-I and Stage-II run through populated areas and have been unfenced since their establishment, resulting in human and livestock fatalities.

Recent incidents include the drowning of a teenage girl on November 10, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures. Residents report multiple canal breaches causing property damage and agricultural loss.

Originally equipped with safety features such as guard quarters and streetlights, these measures have not been maintained for over two decades. Locals have expressed concerns over the ongoing dangers posed by these canals, particularly during rainfall when the risk of landslides increases.