Eight years on authorities fail to repair filtration plant in Pulwama, allege locals
Say they are consuming contaminated water
Pulwama: The residents of three villages in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have alleged that they are consuming contaminated water as authorities have failed to repair a filtration plant which turned defunct some eight years back.
The residents of Zahid Bagh, Rakh and Darbagh villages said the scheme was started in 2012 and started facing glitches after two years.
The filtration plant of the supply scheme turned defunct in year 2014 since then around 500 households have been suffering,” they said, adding that authorities have failed to take cognizance of the issue.
They said despite the scheme being started a decade ago, dozens of households in Darbagh and Zahid Bagh are yet to be connected with the pipeline.
According to locals, the scheme is functioning without filtration plants, forcing people 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, Javaid Ahmad a local said.
He said that by using contaminated water continuously, there are chances that water borne diseases can break out anytime.
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, they 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 plant there so that locals too can get potable water.
Jahangeer Ganaie
