Residents of Rehmatabad Adipura in the outskirts of Sopore town are up in arms against Jal Shakti department for failing to provide water supply to them.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they said that the authorities are pushing them to face immense hardships due to acute shortage of drinking water for years.
“We took to the streets a number of times to press for our demands in vain as the concerned failed to take any step in this regard,” the locals said.
They added they also approached the concerned authorities with their grievances.
The residents blamed the politicians by saying that they only come to the area during elections for the sake of votes but as soon as the election ends, they disappear. “They seek votes from us at the times of elections promising to provide basic amenities in the area but later on betray us,” said Abdul Ahad, a local resident.
“We are being forced to walk miles to fetch water. Authorities are ignoring us at all fronts. Despite repeated assurances and promises, the department has failed to provide adequate drinking water to the residents here,” said Firdous Ahmed, a local resident.
The department claimed they will lay a new pipeline which would provide water to the entire area but all the assurances turned hoaxes on the ground, they added.
“Where are the claims of the government ‘Har Ghar Nal Sy Jal’ ? The claims have fallen flat as we have been suffering due to the scarcity of drinking water supply for several years,” said Ateeka Begum.
She said they were getting water from tankers but the service has been stopped for the last many months.
AEE Jal Shakhti department, Sopore did not respond to the calls—(KNO)