The water flow reduced after the breach in 1996 and the construction of a dam by Rajasthan. symbolic picture
Naresh Garg, Firozpur Jhirka. Kamenda and Rawali dams, once the lifeline of farmers in the area and a popular picnic spot for students, are now in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance. The rest houses built on these dams are also completely dilapidated, and the parks are also in bad condition. Due to lack of beautification of both the dams, there is resentment among the people of the area towards the irrigation department and administrative officials.
It is noteworthy that there is not a single canal in Firozpur Jhirka block through which farmers can irrigate their fields. Due to heavy rains in Haryana and Rajasthan regions, water from several places in Rajasthan's Alwar district, including Jeroli, Mubarakpur, Kishangarh and Naugaon, flowed into Haryana via Mundka Shankarpuri village located on the Haryana-Rajasthan border. This caused floods, and the water was wasted.
The people of the area demanded former Chief Minister of the state Chaudhary Bansi Lal to build two dams in Firozpur Jhirka block so that rain water can be stored in these dams and the ground water level can be increased. Then the rain water can be used to irrigate the fields. On the demand of the people, he built one dam in Rawali village and another in Kamenda village. Along with the dams, rest houses and parks were also built.
When the dams were filled with water, students from schools in the area and other people would go to these dams for picnics and enjoy. After heavy rains in 1996, both dams breached, causing floods. After that, the Government of Rajasthan built a dam in its area to stop the rain water coming from Rajasthan. Since then, very little rain water is stored in these dams. Gradually, due to lack of maintenance and care, the rest houses and parks built on these dams started deteriorating.
When Kamenda and Rawali dams were filled with rain water, not only many people of the area but also school students would come to visit these dams. If these dams are beautified, even today many people can go there for picnic.-Rajkumar Jain Saraf, Firozpur Jhirka
The condition of Rawali and Kamenda dams has deteriorated due to lack of maintenance by the Irrigation Department officials. The Deputy Commissioner of Nuh should ensure that the rest houses and parks built on these dams are improved and watchmen are appointed for their maintenance. -Rajkumar Chutani, President, Shri Ramlila Committee, Firozpur Jhirka.
The dams of Rawali and Kamenda will soon be shown to Nuh Deputy Commissioner, Akhil Pilani. After that, an estimate for their repair and beautification will be prepared and sent to higher authorities. After getting the approval, beautification work will be done.-Jaidev, Sub-Divisional Engineer, Irrigation Department, Firozpur Jhirka.