Farmers in four chiwogs of Pemathang Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar can finally bid farewell to their water woes as the Omshari Landmark Irrigation Channel has been completed. It was inaugurated on Sunday. The irrigation channel is one of the largest in the country which will ensure that over 1,000 acres of agricultural land will receive a reliable water supply.
In the coming weeks, residents of Raling, Pemathang, Chirtshosa-Lungminang, and Kathubdang-Shiling Gye will start their paddy cultivation. Pemathang Gewog is known for Khamtey rice.
Thanks to the completion of the irrigation water project, the villagers can put their worries about water shortages and the unpredictability of rainwater to rest.
“It will benefit us a lot. We cultivate paddy and vegetables and to do so, we need water,” said Sumitra Devi, a resident.
“Till now, we have been sharing water with neighbours for paddy transplantation. We are happy and thankful to His Majesty the King for this project. We will continue to work hard,” said Tshering Wangdi, another resident.
110 DeSuups under the DeSuung National Service Water Project completed the work in seven months which started in November last year.
Spending about Nu 95 M, the irrigation channel has an intake structure and sedimentation tank at Raoshingchhu.
The project also features climate-resilient irrigation infrastructure that can cope with flash floods and high-density polyethene pipelines that will ensure zero loss of water.
According to the Gewog administration, about 30 acres of fallow land will be revived this time.
Besides irrigation water, the project will also supply drinking water to Chirtshosa-Lungminang and Kathubdrang-Shiling-Gye Chiwogs in Pemathang Gewog and Dungkarling Chiwog in Phuentshogthang Gewog as three drinking water tanks were constructed.
The Government of India funded the water project through the Project Tied Assistance Programme.
The completion of the Omshari Landmark Irrigation Channel brings new hope to the farmers of Pemathang Gewog, highlighting the significant impact of reliable water access on agricultural development.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
