Bandipora villagers express concern over ‘unfiltered’ water supply

Bandipora, June 18: The residents of Watrin village of Bandipora district have expressed concern over the “unfiltered water” being supplied by the PHE department to their homes.

According to locals, the village receives water from the Zaingeer canal, which cuts through the village after being diverted from the Madhumati Nallah near Sonarwani, the source head of the canal.

   

“Ever since the hydroelectric power project began diverting water through the stream, the quality has been degraded. The muck and mud often get accumulated in our water storage tanks,” said Shahid Khan, a local.

Another local said that the PHE was providing unfiltered water to the residents of the village by diverting the canal waters directly for water supply.

“This water is contaminated and is worrying for the locals fearing water-born disease,” said another resident of the area, Arshad Ahmad Lone.

The locals said that the Rs 3.04.20 crore project was approved in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with funds made available for the construction of the water supply scheme in Watrin, besides the rapid sand filtration plant and pre settling tank (PST) which includes electrical and mechanical components.

However, locals said that the work on the project was yet to start.

Executive Engineer, PHE, Bandipora, Khaliq Ahmad Qureshi told Greater Kashmir that they faced a lot of problems in terms of water supply in Watrina and for that purpose, a big project under JJM was prepared which was being tendered.

“The civil works on this project will start very soon,” he said.

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