The water supply scheme Lawaypora-Khayar is awaiting its completion for last six years, courtesy the lackadaisical approach of the authorities concerned.
According to locals, the construction of the scheme wasstarted in 2013 by the PHE division Bandipora. “However, the project is yet tobe completed,” they said, adding that they consume contaminated water directlyfrom a nearby canal for want of this scheme.
They said the scheme was to benefit around 500 households intwo villages including Khayar and Lawaypora.
“In the last years, the department has been able to buildonly a reservoir, besides fencing the scheme. Though the pipe network has beenlaid, no water flows through them,” exclaimed Ashiq Mir, a local.
He said the department has spent around Rs 30 lakh on theconstruction of the reservoir “but we are yet to get potable water.”
“When the work was started on the project, it was given outthat it will comprise a water reservoir and a filtration plant. In the name offiltration plant there is only a huge pit that has been dug by the department,”the locals said.
They said last year when the reservoir was filled withwater, “it developed cracks and water started leaking from it,” they said,adding that since then no work has been carried out on the scheme.
The locals appealed to the governor and the divisionalcommissioner Kashmir to personally look into the matter.
OFFICIAL VERSION
Officials said that under the scheme a reservoir with acapacity of 78,000 gallons and a chamber have been constructed at the cost ofaround Rs 30 lakh. However, the scheme has been financially closed now.
Executive engineer PHE division Bandipora, Abdul KhaliqQureshi said the construction of the scheme would be taken up by the NHPC forwhich the department has already submitted a detailed project report (DPR) toit.
“As of now the scheme is financially closed but the schemewould be targeted for completion for this year only after NHPC releases theamount as per the DPR submitted by us.
“Under the scheme, a pre-settling tank (PST) and filtrationplant would be constructed. We have completed all the formalities and arewaiting for the formal approval from the NHPC.”