The much-anticipated Arzan Garzan Dam Project in the Charari Sharief area continues to face significant delays, raising concerns among local communities and political leaders about the impact on irrigation and agriculture in the region. Advocate Javed Hubi, a senior leader of the Awami Itehad Party and prominent political activist, has voiced frustration over the project’s stagnation since 2016. The Arzan Garzan Dam project is a surface minor irrigation (SMI) scheme aimed at boosting irrigation potential in the agriculturally important Arzan Garzan region. Initially included in the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) during 2013-14, the scheme plans to create a command area of approximately 1,022 hectares, significantly enhancing water availability and improving livelihoods. Despite its importance, the project has faced persistent delays. The initial setback was due to complications in securing necessary design approvals. Excavation of the main dam body reportedly began in 2016, but construction was halted citing pending design clearances. Official statements confirm that the dam’s design was eventually approved by the then state government, targeting project completion in 2020-21. However, construction remains incomplete with little progress since the halt. The Arzan Garzan Dam is part of a cluster of 117 Surface Minor Irrigation schemes under the AIBP, now incorporated into the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The estimated cost is around Rs. 40 crore, highlighting the significant investment in Jammu and Kashmir’s irrigation infrastructure. Advocate Hubi has urged authorities to expedite completion, emphasizing the severe impact on farmers reliant on reliable irrigation. “This dam is a lifeline for thousands of farmers. Delays since 2016 have caused unnecessary hardship; urgent action is needed to revive and complete this critical project,” he said. The prolonged delay raises questions about project management, accountability, and coordination among government departments. Stakeholders fear further postponements could jeopardize agricultural productivity and stall rural development. As the Arzan Garzan Dam Project remains in limbo, demands for transparency and swift progress intensify among farmers and political representatives. Timely completion is vital not only for irrigation but also for the overall economic upliftment of Charari Sharief. The government has yet to issue a clear timeline for resuming and completing dam construction, leaving locals hopeful but anxious about the project’s future.