Nowpora Payeen residents demand safe potable water
Locals allege decade-long delay in water supply scheme
By: Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama: The residents of Nowpora Payeen in Litter Tehsil of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have expressed strong resentment over the non-availability of safe drinking water in the area, alleging that the water they receive through pipelines is contaminated and unfit for consumption.
According to locals, the piped water is being supplied directly from a nearby canal, which they claim is highly polluted. “We are forced to drink this contaminated water. Many people in our area often fall ill, and several have developed waterborne diseases,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a local resident.
The villagers said that over a decade ago, a water supply scheme was sanctioned for the area at an estimated cost of around Rs 1 crore.
“A well and a quarter were constructed, and a new pipeline was also laid. However, due to alleged embezzlement of funds, the project came under the scanner of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), and since then the work has completely stopped,” said another resident, Ghulam Qadir.
Locals added that the construction of the Overhead Tank (OHT) and proper connection to the well has not been completed to date. “It’s been years of waiting, and nothing has moved forward.
Authorities must intervene and restart the work so that we can get clean and safe water,” said Abdul Majeed, another villager.
The residents have appealed to higher authorities to look into the matter and ensure the completion of the long-pending water supply scheme without any further delay.
