Srinagar, July 10: At least 5000 people in Kamad Anantnag are craving for drinking water who are being forced to consume contaminated water.
An overhead water tank was constructed in 1990 to provide drinking water to Kamad, Chchripora, Chekk Kamad, Papibal, Nawwithoo and Lalan. Crores of rupees was spent on construction of the water tank which developed leakage within months.
Later, a tube was constructed to supply water to Chchripora.
While residents of Kamad have to fetch water from a spring at Pathbug. “We receive contaminated water from the spring. Last year, 150 people fell ill due to contaminated water. They developed various water borne diseases due to consumption of contaminated water,” a local told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
He said residents of Hajam Mohalla, Syed Mohalla, Herpora near high school, Cheek Kamad, Tilwanipora are craving for tap water. “Women folk have to walk a kilometer to fetch water from the spring. This exercise becomes troublesome for women,” he said.
This year, the government started work on construction of an overhead water tank at Ugjung.
“Tube well was also constructed. But the water is filled with mud and silt. At least 5000 people in these areas are suffering badly. We have to consume water from contaminated sources,” locals said.
They said that the government has forgotten several villages in the area. “Despite living in the 21st century, we are without basic amenities,” they said.
Executive Engineer Bijbehara Jal Shakti Department, which was earlier known as PHE, Shah Siraj said they are constructing an overhead tank to supply water to these villages.
“It will be completed within three months,” he told KINS.
Kamad falls under assembly Anantnag constituency, which was the constituency of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.(KINS)
