PAMPORE: Water crisis for the last three years in Khranchoo village in south Kashmir’s Pampore has outraged residents who say that they have raised this issue with local authorities, but no action was taken to address their woes. Residents told Kashmir Reader that they are supplied water from a reservoir located in Deva Mohalla. “The water is turbid and has been declared unsafe for drinking,” a local Mohammad Shafi said. “We have raised this issue with PHE many times and recently the issue was brought into the notice of authorities in back to village programme.” “The water pipes are in bad condition. What we receive is turbid red coloured water which has been declared unsafe for drinking,” he said. “The authorities in back to village programme assured us that this issue will be addressed soon, but till date, nothing was done,” Shafi said. The residents said that after instructions from higher authorities, PHE department was asked to dig a new tube well for Kranchoo under Deva scheme. “Months have passed, but the new scheme is yet to take off,” they said. The residents say they purchase bottled mineral water from shops for drinking. “We purchase 60 litres of bottled water per day,” Shafi said, “but after the lockdown was announced, venturing out of the houses has become difficult.” “We don’t know how to cope when no drinking water is available,” they said. Assistant Engineer PHE, Bashir Ahmad Thokar told Kashmir Reader that he has submitted a proposal for excavation of a new tube well to his higher office. Regarding turbid water, he said that the demand was that they need the water for washing or cleaning purpose and not for drinking. He also claimed that they sent water tankers to the area regularly. AEE Pampore Nawaz Ahmad told Kashmir Reader that the tube well will be dug once it is being approved. “We have projected it under Jal Jeewan mission, the SE concerned has approved it and soon tenders will be f loated for this scheme,” he said.

BILAL HABIB