Eight years on, Pulwama filtration plant awaits repairs
Locals consume contaminated water
Pulwama: The authorities of the PHE department have delayed repairs of a filtration plant at Pulwama in the last eight years forcing the residents to consume contaminated water.
The residents said the filtration plant got defunct eight years ago and has been left abandoned.
The residents of Zahid Bagh, Rakh and Darbagh villages said the scheme was started in 2012 but it started facing glitches after two years.
“The filtration plant became defunct in 2014 since then around 500 households have been suffering,” a local resident said, adding that the authorities have failed to take cognizance of the grave issue.
The residents said despite the scheme being started a decade ago, dozens of households in Darbagh and Zahid Bagh were yet to be connected with the pipeline.
According to locals, the scheme is functioning without filtration plants, forcing them to consume contaminated water.
“In the absence of a filtration plant, water from Nallah Tongri, which is highly contaminated, is directly being supplied to us,” said Javaid Ahmad, a local resident.
He said there were apprehensions of outbreak of waterborne in the area if the contaminated water continues to be supplied to these areas.
Locals also alleged that not even 30 percent of the funds sanctioned for the scheme were spent on it.
“Even the funds sanctioned after the 2014 floods were not utilized but went in the pockets of contractors and officials who were hand in glove with them,” the locals alleged.
The locals demanded an inquiry into the issue and said that strict action must be initiated against those involved.
They also demanded intervention of DC Pulwama for installing fresh filtration plants there so that locals too can get potable water.
Jahangeer Ganaie
