14 years on, Dachnipora water supply scheme awaits completion
Anantnag: Despite the passage of over 14 years, Dachnipora water supply scheme in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district is yet to see the light of the day.
The locals said the department left the scheme abandoned some 10 years ago which has deprived the population of this area from getting potable water for years together.
An official of the department said that the scheme was sanctioned in 2008 under the National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP).
He said the scheme was announced amid much pomp and show and aimed at providing drinking water to dozens of village in Dachnipora belt at an estimated cost of Rs 25.42 crore.
“The work on the project was started in 2012. But funds started drying and contractor is yet to get the money he spent on the project,” the official said. The official said the contractor spent funds worth Rs three crores in 2012 on the project but he is yet to get the money released from the department.
Locals said that the scheme was sanctioned during the NC-Congress regime and the last PDP-BJP regime didn’t take any interest to resume the work on the project.
“We have informed the higher ups about the project repeatedly but to no avail. The work continues to remain suspended,” the locals said.
The residents urged the higher ups to look into the matter at an earliest and complete the pending work scheme so that all villages will get potable water in the area.
An official of the department said that they have already taken up the issue with the directorate.
“The department has raised some objections which are being looked into. We are hopeful that work will resume on the scheme in near future,” he said.
