Locals Rue ‘Lackadaisical Attitude’ by Authorities
Jehangir lolabi
Kupwara, Aug 24 (GNS): Several villages here in Lolab area are facing acute shortage of potable water even after the construction of a water reservoir in frontier area of the district under the Madhpora-Dardpora Water Supply scheme in the year 2018.
A representation by the locals to GNS said that owing to the lackadaisical approach by the concerned authorities, the residents of several villages including Gujjarpati Dardpora, Jandyal Gujjarpati Dardpora are being forced to use contaminated water flowing from the nearby rivulets.
“A reservoir built in the area under the Madhpora-Dardpora Water Supply Scheme has been abandoned since its construction” they said adding “Even after all these years no one bothered to visit the area regarding its functionality.”
“Owing this callous approach, we are forced to collect water from the rivulets, which off and on becomes the reason that most people are taken ill in the area”, they said.
According to the locals, Department of Public Health and Engineering (PHE) after abandoning the old reservoir started construction of a new one (reservoir) and got it completed in the year 2018 at the cost of around twenty-lac rupees, however to their utter dismay, even after three years of its completion the people in the area are yet to see the anything being done on ground to provide them with potable water.
Expressing their resentment, the locals said that, “Even after the construction of the reservoir and the water source available, we fail to understand as why we are still being deprived of this basic facility.”
“They have forced us to use contaminated water which has been the cause that many people have got involved in some serious water-borne diseases including jaundice”, a local said adding “It has been their lack of technical expertise coupled with careless attitude that the life of a major chunk of population is at stake.”
“Even after siphoning lacs of rupees in the name of the scheme, what have we got expect for their (authorities) hollow promises that the scheme would be made functional on this and that day”, the local said.
Another local on the occasion maintained that, “this has been the overall situation in other areas as well.”
“They (authorities) have erected structures on multiple places just to deceive the top-authorities and in between it is a commoner who has to bear the brunt, he said.
Meanwhile, when contacted SDM Lolab Aijaz Ahmad told GNS that, “We have taken notice of the issue and mandatory procedure will follow shortly to provide the water supply to the residents in the area.”
“We had a similar issue at another place and the necessary work is about to be started on that reservoir, Aijaz said adding “After due compliance, work on this reservoir will also be initiated on a priority basis.”
Meanwhile, the locals have urged Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Anshul Gargh to take notice of the issue. “We urge worthy DC Kupwara to kindly take notice of the issue and make necessary intervention for this genuine cause of ours,” the locals said. (GNS)
