Jahangeer Ganaie
Awantipora, Apr 25: Residents of Kaigam village in Pulwama’s Awantipora have complained about lack of potable water in their neighbourhood saying they are forced to drink contaminated water from canals.
The water collected from canals is used for drinking and cooking apart from household purposes. But it is contaminable and water borne diseases can break out any time in the area, locals said, adding they use it in the face of no other facility to get water supply.
Nazir Ahmad Sarpanch of the area said that the area has been without drinking water for the last two decades. Earlier the area would get water from a water scheme meant for another village but over the years, with rise in population, the water consumption has increased and the piped water does not reach the village.
Locals said they are being assured in offices that a new water scheme is being considered for them. But on the ground, nothing has happened and they are being told that the tendering process is underway.
They requested higher ups to look into the matter and take immediate steps so that the area can get potable water.
An official of the PHE acknowledged that the area is facing a water crisis and said that work on the new scheme will also start soon.
He said that currently a water tanker dispenses water in the area.
