Sofipora Anantnag residents grapple with acute drinking Water crisis
Locals seek urgent administrative intervention
Anantnag: The residents of Sofipora (Herpora) in Tehsil Sallar of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have expressed deep concern over the persistent shortage of potable drinking water and the continued supply of allegedly unfiltered water, a problem they say has been affecting the area for several years without any lasting solution.
The residents stated that the lack of access to clean and safe drinking water has become a major challenge for hundreds of households, forcing people to struggle on a daily basis to meet their basic water requirements.
They alleged that the water currently being supplied is often unfiltered and unsuitable for consumption, raising serious concerns about public health and hygiene.
According to locals, despite repeatedly bringing the issue to the notice of the concerned authorities through representations and appeals, no concrete measures have been taken to address the long-standing grievance. They said the situation becomes even more difficult during periods of increased demand when the already inadequate supply fails to cater to the needs of the growing population.
Residents warned that the consumption of untreated water could expose people, particularly children and the elderly, to various water-borne diseases and health complications. They emphasized that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental necessity and should not remain a matter of uncertainty for any community.
“We have been facing this problem for years. The water supply is irregular, and the quality of water being provided is a matter of serious concern. We fear that continued consumption of unfiltered water may adversely affect the health of residents,” locals said.
The residents urged the administration to take immediate corrective measures, including upgrading the existing water supply infrastructure, ensuring regular water availability, and providing properly filtered drinking water to every household in the village.
Seeking prompt action, the residents appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag and the Executive Engineer of Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Bijbehara to personally intervene and conduct an on-ground assessment of the situation.
They requested the authorities to formulate a comprehensive plan for resolving the issue permanently and preventing further inconvenience to the public.
The residents expressed hope that the administration would treat the matter with urgency and take effective steps to address their long-pending demand, ensuring a reliable supply of clean and safe drinking water for the people of Sofipora (Herpora) at the earliest.
