Bandipora, May 8: In the absence of proper drinking water facilities, thousands of people living in various villages situated along Jhelum in Bandipora are forced to drink polluted river water. 
 The villages including, Banyari, Madvan, Shahgund, Hajin, Prnag and Ghulamyari are totally dependent on river water for drinking and irrigation purposes.
 “We highlighted the drinking problem issue with senior functionaries of Public Health Engineering Department, but to no avail,” locals told Greater Kashmir adding that during summers scores of people contract several waterborne diseases after consuming the river water.
 “The river has been polluted to hilt as all the hotels, dhabas and households dump garbage into it,” the locals said.
 The residents of Banyari complained that they were being forced to use the polluted water of Jhelum. “The water tank constructed by the Government is lying defunct,” said a local Ghulam Rasool, adding the concerned authorities ‘failed’ to maintain the tank causing immense hardships to the inhabitants.
 According to a medico, the water used by locals was completely unfit for human consumption. “Almost every child in the area is suffering from water borne diseases. The government should provide proper water facility to the area in order to save the precious lives,” Dr Abdul Ahad said.
 When contacted, Additional District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Ghulam Muhammad Barkaboo told Greater Kashmir that a team of officials would be sent to the area to look into the matter. “The defunct water tank will be made operational soon and potable water will be supplied to the residents,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 May 2011 00:00:00 IST