Ulfat Bashir
The residents of the Kawari area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district face an acute shortage of potable drinking water, which has made the lives of the inhabitants miserable.
The area that consists of 15 mohallas, has been facing water scarcity for the past several years. They are forced to drink contaminated water and it has affected their health severely.
Talking to The Kashmiriyat locals said, “A water scheme from Jumnigund to Kawari was sanctioned by PHE Minister almost eight years ago, but the village was yet to be covered under the scheme. During the constant regimes, promises were given, but till date, all the promises have proved to be a mirage”.
“Being an outlying village, people from both the political and civil administration hardly take the trouble to visit the area,” they said.
People of these localities said that they informed the Jal Shakti Department officials about the water scarcity in their localities several times, but the department did not heed their woes.
Mohammed Yaseen Lone, a resident of Kawari Laderwan, said that every summer and winter season they face a severe shortage of potable water, making their lives miserable. Especially in the winter days, women face a lot of difficulties.
“We are facing tremendous hardships and despite our repeated pleas, the authorities have failed to resolve the issue”, he said.
The locals appealed to Chief Engineer, PHE Division Kupwara to look into the matter, and initiate the pending scheme so that people can breathe a sigh of relief.