Nildora Shopian residents without potable water for last three years
Demand intervention of MLA, Deputy Commissioner Shopian
Shopian: The residents of Nildora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district have been fighting an unending struggle for drinking water and they are yet to get any success in this regard, locals alleged Wednesday.
The residents of the Nildora said that for the past three years, the residents have been deprived of potable water supply, forcing them to rely on a nearby stream that they say is neither safe nor sufficient.
From early morning, the village women, young and old alike, begin their day by trekking to the stream, braving harsh weather conditions to fetch water for their families. The long-standing crisis has turned a basic right into a daily burden.
“In the biting cold or scorching summer heat, the first thing we have to do each morning is to fetch water,” said an elderly lady from the village.
Residents are worried not just about the inconvenience but the health risks too. They claim the water from the stream is often contaminated and unsuitable for drinking or domestic use.
“Water-borne diseases are a constant threat here,” said Farooq Ahmad Reshie another resident.
“We have had cases of stomach infections, especially among children,” he added.
The Jal Shakti Department sends water tankers just once a week, and that too is not enough to meet the basic needs of the entire population, he added.
What has added to the residents’ frustration is the half-finished infrastructure. Piping work was initiated months ago but, according to locals, the supply has never been connected.
“The pipes are just lying there like a cruel joke,” said Reyaz Ahmad Lone, another local resident.
“Despite our repeated appeals to the authorities, there has been no follow-up, no explanation, and certainly no water,” he added.
Locals claimed that they have approached officials multiple times, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
They have sought the attention of concerned MLA along with Deputy Commissioner Shopian in this regard.
