Srinagar, Sep 14: Despite claims by the Jammu and Kashmir administration about providing potable drinking water to every household under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), residents of Alochi Bagh in Srinagar have accused the Jal Shakti Department of failing to supply them with drinking water for the past 10 days.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, frustrated residents shared their grievances, stating that they have been without drinking water for over a week. “We have no water to drink, no water to clean utensils. We are deeply frustrated,” one resident said, highlighting the daily struggles caused by the ongoing water scarcity.
Mohammad Iqbal, a local resident, expressed his anger, criticizing the administration for neglecting their needs despite claiming that the JJM scheme has been successfully implemented in Srinagar. “We have taps, but no water. Nobody is listening to us,” Iqbal said. “If this is the condition in city areas, one can only imagine the situation in far-flung areas.”
Residents also claimed that they had repeatedly raised the issue with the administration, but have received no assurance or solutions. “The department keeps saying the issue will be addressed soon, but nothing concrete has been done so far,” Iqbal added.
In response, the Executive Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department Anbreen Anjum admitted the water scarcity problem in the area, stating that the issue has persisted for months. She explained that water tanks are being sent to Alochi Bagh to provide drinking water, free of charge for residents, though commercial users are being charged.
However, residents have accused the department of favoritism, alleging that influential individuals are receiving water tanks for free, while others are being charged.
The official rejected these claims, insisting that all residents are receiving free water tanks, while charges are only levied for commercial use.
Anjum assured that the water supply issue will be permanently resolved once the “model code of conduct” is implemented.
