Leaked gravity lines of public health engineering (PHE) department are posing a threat to the life of nearly 20000 souls, mostly tribal Gujjars, of Chakki-Dandi area of Bhaderwah town as their houses have developed huge cracks and the land is sinking at several places.
The locals claimed that they have brought the matter to the notice of the concerned authorities time and again but the needful was not done till date. Situated on a hilly slope, Chakki-Dandi village in Urdana-B panchayat is some 3 km in the west of Bhaderwah town.
The villagers told Greater Kashmir that around a decade back, PHE department tapped water from Shankhoja Nallah to provide potable water to the population residing in the plains of Bhaderwah Valley, for which gravity lines of 4, 3, 2 and 11/4 inch diameter were laid which passed through Chakki-Dandi village.
“Only after two years, the ‘sub-standard’ pipes, which were not laid as per specification, developed cracks and blasted at several places, resulting soil erosion and sinking of land from different locations. Later, many houses in Chakki-Dandi village developed cracks, while some other structures collapsed fully,” said a local, Ghulam Qadir Batt.
“I am a daily wage labourer. Despite financial constraints, I had to rebuild my house twice in last 5 years as it developed huge cracks and a portion of it got sunk due to the leaked water pipes,” Batt said, adding that he has been running from pillar to post to get the leaked pipes repaired but “till today, the needful is not done.”
Another villager, Saleema Bano (18) said, “My parents are outside the State for some emergency medical treatment and I have no other option than spending nights in harsh winters under open sky with my infant brother and cattle, as our house has developed huge cracks. We fear of getting killed as our structure can collapse anytime.”
“Due to the leaking water pipes, my house collapsed thrice and a major portion of my agricultural land also got eroded. I’ve exhausted all my resources to rebuild my house. Now, the only option left with us is to commit suicide,” said Khateeja Begum (50) of Chakki-Dandi.
When contacted executive engineer, PHE Doda, Bal Krishan, said, “I was not aware of this serious problem confronting Chakki-Dandi villagers yet. I will now send my team of engineers to access the situation and repair the leaked pipes at the earliest.”
“I will also ask my field team to send a detailed project report, so that I can submit it to the higher authorities for permanent solution of the problem,” the officer added.