 ASHWANI SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
UDHAMPUR, Feb 9: Believe it or not, even after over seven decades of independence village Bathuni of Panchayat Thanoha in Block Jaganoo, Udhampur is without the facility of potable drinking water.
“The village Bathuni is without the facility of potable drinking water for decades but ironically no one is bothered,” said Hem Raj, 85, adding that he never saw tap water in his village.
“Many times we approached the concerned authorities for facility of potable water but they just gave hollow assurances,” he claimed.
Many others in the village alleged that they are forced to drink the dirty water from a nearby spring which is totally open and in bad shape.
Neema Devi, a housewife said that water in the spring, the only source of water, remains dry from the months of April to July and during this period they are forced to travel 3-4 km daily to fetch water for their household chores.
Parkash Chand, a social worker of Tarmada, said that due to the lack of concern from the authorities, thousands of inhabitants of Panchayat Thanoha including Upper Thanoha, Bathuni and other adjoining villages live without tap water in the era of so-called ‘Digital India’.
“We appeal to higher authorities to look into the matter and provide the drinking water facilities to the area so that the people there may heave a sigh of relief,” he added
When contacted, Executive Engineer of Jal Shakti Department of Udhampur, said that he personally visited this area twice and noticed taps have water but maximum area was still without water.
“We are continuously working on the Detailed Project Report for a scheme under Jal Jeewan Mission worth Rs 5-6 crore for approval to solve the water problem of the area,” he maintained. |
