Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Aug 11: Residents of Takyabal, Sheikh Sahib, Teliyan and adjacent Arampora areas in north Kashmir’s Sopore town have accused the Jal Shakti department of providing them contaminated drinking water from River Jhelum.
“We are being forced to consume raw water from the Jhelum, thereby posing health risks. Heaps of garbage is a common scene on the banks of river. We have contaminated dirty water due to which several viral diseases break out here from time to time,” locals said.
A local Nadeem Ahmad said that a filtration plant exists in Mahrajpora area but that is good for nothing as people are still getting unfiltered drinking water.
“Despite several complaints regarding the supplying of contaminated water, the concerned authorities are not paying any heed to our grievances,” he said. “We buy bottled water for drinking purposes,” said many residents.
They urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla and the concerned department to look into the matter.
AEE Jal Shakti (PHE) division Sopore Mudasir Ahmed said that they are supplying water supply after proper mechanism.
He said that they were carrying out repair work of water supply pipes and these issues might have occurred due to that the issue might have happened. “The issue will be looked at and redressed at the earliest,” he added.