 Early Times Report
Jammu, July 6: Residents of Centre Mohalla Bahu Fort say that no political leader bothers to visit their area after elections.
"Monsoon has set in and our houses are flooded with garbage and filth. In the 21st century, we are forced to drink unsafe water," most of the residents said while interacting with Early Times team on Saturday.
The residents included Baldev Raj, Rishu, Kashyap Nath, Sachin, Mantoo, Manmohan Kumar, Sansar Chand, Bantoo, Geet, Sharda, Sarswati, Sawitri Devi, Parveen Kumar, Kamli Devi, Jyoti, Shakuntala, Narda Devi and others. They said that electric polls in the area were erected 40 years ago and have now rusted while pipelines for water supply have also damaged. Also, uncovered drains have added to the woes of the residents.
"We receive potable water occasionally. The pipes in the area got damaged a decade ago, we get very little quantity of water", they said and added that they have punctured main supply line and use a nozzle to get water.
"Almost all residents use same technique to fetch water", they said and added that during rain water from drains and streets enters into the pipes. They said they don't have any other option but to drink filthy and unsafe water.
Built decades ago, most of the drains in the area are in a dilapidated condition. These drains are blocked after every few metres. "The drain adjoining my house is damaged, and due to this my house is on the verge of collapse, but we are helpless and unable to get our problems addressed", said Nadri Devi, who was very angry over political leaders and government officers for ignoring the area.
Manmohan Kumar, a local leader of the area, said that uncovered drain in their area has become a death trap for passersby. "Today, my 5-year-old son got injured while playing with other children", he added. Rishu, another resident of the area, said that his leg suffered a fracture few months ago.
"It may sound strange, but the truth is that this area saw some development during Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad's tenure in the late 50s. Since then all political leaders virtually ignore our area", they said. |
