Drinking water woes persist in Rathsuna, residents question JJM implementation

Tral, Aug 31: Residents of Rathsuna in south Kashmir’s Tral area have alleged that they continue to face drinking water shortages despite the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and approval of the Nunnagh Rathsuna Water Supply Scheme.
The residents said the scheme was intended to address the drinking water requirements of the locality, but its benefits have allegedly not reached all households.
“People are still struggling for water despite the approval of the scheme. The government needs to ascertain what happened to the project and why its benefits have not reached every household,” residents said.
They alleged that the implementation of the JJM scheme has been uneven, with some households receiving tap water connections while several others continue to remain without them.
The residents have sought an inquiry into the distribution of household connections and the beneficiary records to ascertain whether all eligible families have been covered under the scheme.
They said an independent verification of the connections and records would help establish whether the project has been implemented in accordance with its objectives.
“Installing pipes and providing a few connections cannot be termed successful implementation. The real test is whether every eligible household is getting regular and adequate drinking water,” they said.
The residents urged the Jal Shakti Department to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the Nunnagh Rathsuna Water Supply Scheme and assess its present status.
They also sought identification of the reasons behind the continued water shortage and demanded accountability if eligible households have been left out or if infrastructure created under the JJM is not being utilised effectively.
The residents appealed to the authorities to ensure that the objectives of the JJM and its ‘Har Ghar Jal’ vision are implemented on the ground and that every eligible household receives regular and adequate drinking water. (KNS)