Pulwama villages demand safe potable water
Pulwama: The inhabitants of Zahid Bagh, Darbagh, Rakh and its adjacent areas in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have accused the Public Health Engineering department of supplying contaminated water to them.
In absence of filtration plant, authorities are providing us water directly from a local canal which is contaminated, they said adding that many people have fallen ill after consuming the contaminated water.
“There is fear and apprehensions of water borne diseases breaking out in the area as authorities have completely failed to take cognizance of the issue,” they added.
“Children and aged people are mostly getting infected by this water and doctors have asked the people not to drink the tap water directly as it is contaminated,” said Habibullah Kholay, a local resident.
He added that despite spending crores on a water filtration scheme just four years back the scheme has failed to cater to the needs of the local population.
The department is putting the lives of people at risk by supplying the contaminated water, he said.
The residents while expressing resentment over the failure of the district administration to reach out to them, said that despite repeated assurances, the concerned officials have failed to take stock of the issue.
On contacting district development commissioner Pulwama Dr Raghav Langhar, he said that he will look into the matter and direct officials to ensure pure drinking water facility to the area.
Jahangeer Ganaie
