Umaisar Gull Ganie
Kulgam, Oct 30: In a groundbreaking development, Sarbadri Humpatri, a village integral to Panchyat Lagowpora in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, has achieved a monumental milestone – access to tap water, courtesy of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
An official from the Jal Shakti department informed that for the first time in its history, Sarbadri Humpatri in Panchyat Lagowpora is now linked to tap water. He said the team at the Jal Shakti department overcame formidable challenges and successfully ensured the delivery of clean water right to the doorsteps of this remote village, despite the rugged terrain and adverse conditions. Jann Begum, an elderly woman in the village, mentioned the enduring challenges faced by Sarbadri Humpatri’s residents.
She described the arduous journey they had to make to fetch water from distant sources, especially walking for miles under the scorching sun and harsh weather conditions. “We had no choice but to collect water from remote mountain creeks, sometimes travelling up to a kilometre. The women of the village endured numerous hardships. Today, witnessing water flowing right here is nothing short of a dream come true for us,” she said.
Sona Ullah Malik, a works supervisor from the Jal Shakti Department, said the village, home to 30 inhabitants, had long suffered from water scarcity. “The water scarcity issue has finally been resolved by delivering water to the village. Water has been brought from an astonishing 18,000 feet long distance through a carefully constructed pipeline, thanks to the Jal Jeevan Mission,” he said.
Malik reiterated the department’s unwavering commitment to providing piped water to every household, firmly aligned with its “Har Ghar Jal” (Water to Every Home) mission. Nawaz Ahmad Bhat, Executive Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department in Kulgam, said, “The Jal Shakti Department is dedicated to providing clean water supply to all uncovered households in the district at their doorsteps.
The department is progressing towards achieving saturation, and the efforts it has made are beginning to yield results.” He said that in the upcoming days, more villages will receive water supply, ensuring that even habitations that have never dreamed of having access to potable water facilities will be equipped with 100% functional house tap connections.
