Rajbagh residents decry water shortage, demand urgent action from authorities

Srinagar, Aug 29: Residents of Rustum Colony in Rajbagh area of Srinagar have expressed growing frustration over an acute water shortage that has plagued their locality for the past six months. The shortage has left households struggling to meet daily needs, with many forced to rely on alternative sources of water.According to the locals, the issue persists despite repeated complaints to the authorities. “We have been facing this problem for months. Water supply is irregular, and sometimes we don’t get any for days. It is a daily struggle. We wake up wondering if we will have enough water for the day,” said Shahnawaz Chishti, a resident.The shortage has particularly affected families with young children, elderly members, and those with health conditions. Many are forced to fetch water from nearby areas, often walking long distances with buckets and containers. Others depend on private tankers, which residents say has put an additional financial burden on them.Residents said the irregular supply has made daily life extremely challenging. “We often have to wait in long queues just to get a few buckets of water. It is exhausting both physically and mentally,” said Mohammad Akram, another resident. Junaid Zargar, another local added, “Sometimes we go days without water and are forced to buy it from private tankers, which is very expensive. Even when supply resumes, the quantity is so limited that it barely meets our basic needs.” Residents claim that even basic hygiene practices have become a challenge due to the shortage. “It has become extremely difficult to manage household chores and drinking needs. We are forced to compromise on hygiene because there simply isn’t enough water. Daily tasks like washing clothes, bathing, and even cleaning our homes have turned into a struggle,” said Farah Qadri, another local.Locals are now demanding immediate action from authorities to ensure a consistent and adequate water supply. “While nearby hotels and commercial establishments continue to receive uninterrupted water, we are left without a steady flow. It feels like our needs are being ignored. We urge the authorities to resolve this issue, as it is no longer just an inconvenience; it has become a matter of survival,” said Shams Mir, a resident of Rustum Colony. Responding to these concerns, a senior official from the Jal Shakti Department (PHE), requesting anonymity, said the issue is being actively addressed. “The department is aware of the problem and has already laid new pipelines in the locality. Only minor work remains, but with the recent flood scare, our team was temporarily diverted to emergency duties. We understand the hardships residents are facing, and we expect the locality to have uninterrupted water supply within 2-3 days,” the official added. For now, residents of Rustum Colony continue their daily struggle, hoping the promised improvements will bring relief soon.