BY: Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian: The residents of several Mohallas of Shadab Karewa hamlet in South Kashmir’s Shopian have been facing an acute shortage of drinking water amid the soaring heat.
Locals from Tulsi Mohalla, Khan Mohalla and Bhat Mohalla of Shadab Karewa on Wednesday said that area is facing a shortage of water since last one month but authorities have failed to look into the matter.
They said that Shadab Karewa is a big hamlet and part of it is getting piped water while pipes in several mohallas have turned dry.
They added that they have hired horses and even autos to bring water from nearby areas but authorities are in deep slumber.
Locals alleged that whenever they contact any official of the Jal Shakti department, “they are threatening to lodge FIR against us.”
“On one hand Jal Shakti department claims that every household in J&K will get potable water till the end of next year but on the other hand the same department is threatening us for requesting them to provide drinking water,” an elderly man from the locality said.
He said that there is good water flow in the existing tanks but people living on the far end are facing scarcity as some people have been using the same water to water their orchards.
“We are forced to take our clothes and other things to Manloo which is around 4 km from the village,” he said.
“We staged protests many times to highlight our grievance but no action was taken in this regard till date”, the residents alleged. The protestors demanded regular potable water supply in their area.
They requested concerned District Development Commissioner to look into the matter at the earliest so that locals can heave a sigh of relief
Despite repeated attempts, Executive Engineer Jal Shakti department wasn’t available to comment on the issue. (KNO)