Kupwara town does not have any public drinking water point, and the local municipal committee has not been able to find a place for installing one.
Residents, shoppers and other people who do business or workin the town say they have to buy water bottles or beg hoteliers for a glass ofwater.
“The lack of drinking water facilities in the town iscreating problems for the people, especially those coming from far flung areasof this district who have to buy water bottles to quench their thirst,” saidRashid Ahmad of Kralpora.
“The authorities have spent Rs 17 lakh on a fountain whichis only used at the time of VIP movement. They could have also spent Rs 2 lakhsfor a water point for the relief of poor people,” a resident said.
Executive Officer of local municipality, Farooq Ahmad, saidthere was dearth of space in the town.