Historical Weir restored after three decades in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - As part of an initiative to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s heritage, the State Government has renovated a historical Weir.

The Weir has been restored after three decades, and as a result, water levels in rivers and navigation have also improved. There was a time when the rivers in Kashmir used to serve as the main mode of transport, and the Weir would control water levels in rivers.

“Due to the renovated Weir, all channels or water bodies are alive throughout the year. The Weir was not working and the channels had turned dry. Srinagar is India’s Venice,” said Altaf Hussain Baba, a site engineer.

The Weir has improved daily life in the valley.

Mir Najeeb-Ullah, the chief engineer of the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control, said the Weir is an engineering marvel, and a necessity for Kashmir.

“Our city channels have depleted water levels and we have brought it back to a proper level. For that, renovating this Weir was necessary,” he said.

“Aesthetically, it has tourism interest as well as navigation interest. Even the construction has heritage value,” he added. The State government’s initiative has been appreciated by the public, which believes it will enhance the beauty of Kashmir and attract more tourists.

“For the past 10 to 15 years, we have lost a lot in Kashmir, but now the government is trying to revive everything,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident.

Originally built by British engineers, the Weir is said to be over a century old. y Afzal Bhat (ANI)