Pulwama’s Amrit Sarovar projects left in ruins, locals raise questions over neglect
Pulwama: An Amrit Sarovar developed to ensure water availability for irrigation and promote water conservation in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district has allegedly fallen into neglect, raising serious concerns among locals over official apathy and poor maintenance of public infrastructure.
Launched in 2022 under the Government of India’s ambitious “Amrit Sarovar Mission,” the initiative aimed at rejuvenating water bodies across the country to strengthen water conservation, improve groundwater recharge, and enhance irrigation facilities. Under the mission, every district was tasked with developing or restoring nearly 75 water reservoirs to address growing water scarcity and revive traditional water resources.
As part of the same mission, two swimming pools and recreational water facilities were constructed in Pulwama district under the MGNREGA scheme at Bellow and Rohmoo. The projects were envisioned not only as water conservation structures but also as recreational spaces for the local population. However, due to what residents describe as prolonged official negligence, both facilities are now in a deteriorating condition.
Locals said the structures, once considered attractive public spaces where families and youth gathered for leisure activities, now present a picture of decay and abandonment. Dirty green water has accumulated in the pools, tiles and infrastructure have suffered visible damage, and the surroundings have turned deserted and poorly maintained.
A local resident, Basharat Ahmad, said such projects are highly beneficial for the public and can significantly contribute to both recreation and water management if maintained properly.
He expressed disappointment that huge sums of public money were spent on these facilities only for them to be left defunct shortly after completion.
He urged the authorities to restore the projects and make them functional again for the benefit of the public.
MLA Rajpora Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir also voiced concern over the condition of the projects.
He said substantial MGNREGA funds had been utilized on these schemes before this government with the intention of benefiting the people. However, he alleged that after spending large amounts of money, the projects were unnecessarily ignored and allowed to deteriorate.
He further demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir administration constitute a committee to review the utilization of funds in such projects that have become defunct due to official inaction and lack of monitoring.
According to him, accountability is necessary to ensure that public welfare schemes serve their intended purpose rather than turning into abandoned structures.
