Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, Oct 31: Maldera village, situated in Chitragam tehsil of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, has been grappling with a severe shortage of potable water for several years, causing distress among its residents.
Despite numerous pleas, this issue has yet to receive the attention it so desperately needs, the local resident said.
The village, home to more than 400 households, has been facing a water crisis for several years without any significant intervention, they said, adding, “Although a well was constructed in the area a few years ago, it only serves a handful of households, leaving most without access to clean drinking water.”
They said the well’s water is heavily contaminated, leading to widespread waterborne diseases in the area.
Bashir Ahmad, a resident, said that most villagers are compelled to fetch water from a contaminated spring located approximately one kilometre away. This poses significant challenges for us, he said.
Gulzar Ahmad, another local, said that a water supply scheme was proposed in 2017, and a detailed project report (DPR) was prepared and submitted to higher authorities. The tendering process even commenced, but for unknown reasons, the scheme was left unfinished, he said.
Despite the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner last year, the installation of pipelines was halted midway, Gulzar added.
Local residents said that despite repeated efforts to bring this issue to the attention of higher-ups, no resolution has been reached. The villagers have appealed to authorities to address this matter and provide them with a sustainable solution.
An official from the Jal Shakti Department said that the pipeline installation had faced obstacles due to objections from some orchardists about laying pipes through their farms.
However, the issue has reportedly been resolved, he said, adding that the pipeline installation work would resume soon.
