Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Oct 21: The residents of Ugergund village of Newa hamlet in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district accused the Jal Shakti department of ignoring their plights, alleging that the residents are still being deprived of the water supply facility.
The residents here have demanded immediate redressal of their genuine grievances.
The residents said that around two decades before, the government had sanctioned a water supply scheme for the area, but it wasn’t complete as of now.
They said that even a bore well was dug and a tank was constructed at the spot but rest of the work wasn’t taken up.
Sameer Ahmad, a local resident, said that since the last 20 years, they have been waiting to get water supply.
However, he added that they are being forced to drink contaminated water, due to which people, mainly elderly and children, often fall ill.
Subzar Ahmad, another local, said that the government must investigate the inordinate delay in completing the project. He said that authorities are risking the lives of the people by forcing them to drink contaminated water.
Locals said that some of the households in the village have dug bore wells on their own where locals have been getting water for drinking purposes.
They said that they have brought this issue into the notice of higher ups several times but to no avail.
They urged the officials to look into the matter at an earliest so that they could heave a sigh of relief.
An official of the concerned department said that the area is now being covered under Jal Jeevan Mission and the area will get potable water facilities soon.