Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Oct 21: The residents of Rakh and Zahid Bagh villages in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have urged the authorities to upgrade the existing water supply scheme in the hamlets, saying that the current infrastructure is insufficient to meet the needs of the growing population.
Locals said that the water supply scheme catering to these villages was constructed nearly 12 years ago to serve around 250 households.
However, over the years, an additional village was brought under its ambit, significantly increasing the number of consumers.
“Initially, the scheme was meant to serve only 250 households, but today it caters to around 500 households spread across three villages. This has put an enormous strain on the existing system,” said Ab Hameed, a resident of Zahid Bagh.
He added that while new households have recently been connected to the network, the water supply remains grossly inadequate. “Water comes for hardly half an hour in 24 hours and even then, the flow is very low,” he said.
He suggested that the existing source should continue to serve Darbagh village—which falls in neighbouring Shopian district—while a new pumping station and separate source should be created exclusively for Zahid Bagh and Rakh villages. “This is the only way all households can get adequate and clean drinking water,” he added.
Another resident, Javid Ahmad, alleged that even those receiving water are not getting potable water. “The authorities claim that the filtration plant is functional, but the water is not being properly filtered,” he said, expressing concern over the health risks associated with consuming unfiltered water.
The residents said they have repeatedly raised the issue with the concerned authorities but no concrete steps have been taken so far. “We have been assured several times that our grievances will be addressed, but on the ground, nothing has changed,” they said.
They appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama to intervene and ensure that a separate water source is created for Zahid Bagh and Rakh villages to end their prolonged water crisis.
