Shokhbaba (Bandipora), Sep 28: Despite spending Rs two crore, the water reservoir constructed by the government at Shokhbaba in Bandipora district is lying defunct since 1997. 
 The reservoir has the capacity to store 60,000 gallons of water and can feed the inhabitants of 10 villages.
 “Thousands of people residing in villages including Shokhbaba, Mulkhuihama, Bapora, Mirpora, Gujarpati, Sheikhpora, Malikpora and adjoining area have been forced to drink unsafe water from the streams,” said Moulana Ishaq of Shokhbaba, adding the Public Health Engineering department had completely failed to make the reservoir operational.
 “With reservoir lying defunct, the women folk have to fetch water from far off areas,” the residents told Greater Kashmir.
 Blaming the authorities for turning blind eye towards the issue, Hassan khan said, “Despite repeated pleas with the senior functionaries, the concerned department failed to do anything substantial.”
 Sarpanch of the area, Ghulam Rasool told Greater Kashmir that the district administration especially the PHE officials were fully aware about the defunct reservoir and the problems suffered by the people thereof. “The officials have shown indifferent attitude towards the problems faced by the people on account of defunct reservoir,” Ghulam Rasool said and sought the intervention of Minister for PHE, Taj Mohi-ud-Din in this regard.
 When contacted Assistant executive engineer PHE Bandipora, Abdul Majeed said, “Shokhbaba water reservoir comes under the previous plan of water supply scheme system and is not functional from many years. The department has issued tenders and it would be made operational within few months.”

Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST