Twin Shopian villages forced to consume ‘contaminated water’
Shopian: Even after a lapse of around five year, the authorities in Shopian district have failed to complete awater supply scheme that would have ended the demand of Sofipora and Hydergund village who are seeking access to safe drinking water.
Locals from the two villages in Zainapora belt of Shopian district said that a water supply scheme for the twin villages was approved in year 2017.
They said that soon work on the scheme was started and over 90 percent work has been already completed but authorities have failed to make it functional.
They said that all machinery has been installed and tank is also complete but the Jal Shakti department has failed to install pipelines in the area.
“We don’t have any alternative available to get potable water and in absence of any facility we are forced to drink contaminated water,” said Siraj Ahmad a local resident.
He added that PHE department was given ending 2019 deadline to complete the scheme and since then three more years have passed but the scheme is yet to be made functional.
Locals while thanking ex-MLA watchi Aijaz Ahmad Mir who is presently DDC member for helping them to get the scheme requested him to look into the matter and put further efforts into it so that the scheme witnesses completion.
They also requested District Magistrate Shopian and Chief Engineer Jal Shakti Department to help them in commissioning of the said scheme.
On contacting Assistant Executive engineer G A Tantray, he said that he has recently joined and will take cognizance of the issue.
He said that scheme is almost complete and only main pipeline is to be laid for which allotment has been already sanctioned to a contractor.
He assured that scheme will be made functional very soon.
Jahangeer Ganaie
