SRINAGAR: Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) has ordered for disconnection of all unregistered public stand posts which have been installed on streets for drinking water in Kashmir.
According to a circular issued by Assistant Executive Engineer Dood Ganga, all junior engineers and in-charge inspectors have been directed to disconnect all unregistered public stand posts with immediate effect to have some control on unabated misuse of potable water.
“Any delinquency shown in this regard shall be viewed seriously and action as warranted under rules against the erring officials who may be noted,” reads the order in possession of Kashmir Reader.
A sizeable number of public posts have been erected in the Srinagar over the last many decades. These posts used to be erected mostly in memory of slain persons especially killed during the last three decades of militancy.
Assistant Executive Engineer Peerzada PHE Shayek Ahmad told Kashmir Reader that there are less than 40 public posts which are registered against thousands of illegal public posts in his jurisdiction.
“To get them disconnected we are doing public service because a lot of water was being misused through them. Auto wallas, shopkeepers have been misusing it,” he said.
Anybody, the engineer said, wants to retain them must register and pay for it. “Otherwise we will disconnect them. We are identifying them these days and very soon, you will not see them anywhere.”
According to Ahmad, a local welfare committee can also register for a mere Rs 400 as one-time fee and pay Rs 2600 annually.
“We are facing shortage of drinking water in summers. Amidst this, we supply 150 liters per capita in urban areas and 70 liters in rural areas. These public posts will be add on, and help to meet the demand to a large extent,” he added.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz