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| People stage protests in Kishtwar, block National Highway | | >> Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink! | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Kishtwar, June 21: Fed up of official promises, the water-starved people of Kishtwar today held massive protests and blocked Kishtwar-Jammu National Highway.
The water crisis has worsened particularly after the construction of Head Race Tunnel for 390 MW Dool-Hasti power project which passes through Kishtwar town. With the result, local natural resources as well as springs that used to feed over 50,000 people of Kishtwar town and its adjoining areas have vanished.
To give vent to their frustration, the people of Malipath and its adjoining areas held a strong protest against PHE department. They blocked Kishtwar-Jammu National Highway before tehsildar Kishtwar appeared on the spot, announcing water tanker facility to them till the water supply in these areas is restored.
Reports of water crisis were also received from Poochal, Sangrabata, Shaheedi Mohallah, Sarkoot, Girinagar, Cherhar and almost from all 13 wards of Kishtwar municipality. Anger among the people was simmering not only against PHE department but also against the local MLA and MoS Revenue Sunil Sharma who had promised to address the water problem of Kishtwar at first instance.
"Our newly elected MLA shows us dreams of multipurpose Naigard water tunnel, but even after nearly six months after being elected as MLA Kishtwar, he has done nothing. The situation has gone from bad to worse," an angry protester said.
The protesters said the announcement of Rs 3.41 cr for third water lift scheme from Hasti HRT is also a hoax as second water lifting motor is non-functional for last several months which resulted into deepening of water crises in Kishtwar.
"From my childhood I have listening about Niagard, but it is still incomplete even after 30 years, despite the fact that successive governments spent crores of rupees on this water supply scheme," said Randeep Bhandari.
He said that previous government had sanctioned Rs 56 crore for new Naigard water supply scheme. But for more than four years only 5 to 10 % work on this prestigious water supply scheme considered lifeline for Kishtwar has been completed till date by the Hyderabad-base contractor appointed by the government.
"It is the matter of great concern that even during the holy month of Ramadan, the administration fails to provide drinking water to the people of Kishtwar," said Shakir Siddiqui.
"According to the locals, out of 8 inch Naigard water gravity, only 2.5 to 3 inch water supply reaches Kishtwar filtration plant while rest of the 5 inch water goes to influential persons," said Shakir.
He said that on his initiative Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar constituted a task force a year ago for checking the illegal hooking in Naigard water supply. But one year on the said task force failed to remove the illegal hooking, thus worsening the water crisis in Kishtwar town and its adjoining areas.
When contacted, Executive Engineer PHE Division Kishtwar blamed the Power Development Department for delay in restoration of second water lifting scheme. He said that his department has made the request to PDD for shifting of transformer adjacent to pumping station so that the problem of voltage dip could be addressed.
He said that as soon as PDD installs the transformer, the department will restore water pumping from its second water lifting scheme which will provide additional 4 lakh gallons of water to Kishtwar.
It is pertinent to mention that under Memorandum of Understanding on 390 MW Dool-Hasti Power Project between NHPC and the government of Jammu and Kashmir, the NHPC is to carry out various public welfare schemes in the Kishtwar including providing water supply to Kishtwar town and its adjoining areas in case the natural water resources dried down.
But till date the corporation has failed to carry out any major public welfare initiative and the money supposed to be used for public welfare schemes is being utilized to provide luxurious facilities including vehicles to influential officers. |
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