Severe water supply problem irks residents
Govind Sharma
JAMMU: Inhabitants in many areas of Ward No 41 of Jammu Municipal Corporation are facing severe water supply problem while poor drainage system is craving for attention of the authorities.
This came to the fore during a visit to several parts of the Ward by this Correspondent. Many people of Sarswati Nagar, Anand Vihar, Hajuri Bagh and adjoining areas complained that they do not get regular water supply and are facing water shortage even in winter season.
“We are getting water supply on alternate days even in winter and in summer season, we do not get water supply for days together”, said Vidya of Hajuri Bagh. Similar views were shared by Rajesh Kumar of Anand Vihar and Vikas of Saraswati Nagar who alleged that officials at PHE pumping station do not adhere to the roster of water supply; while in some areas they open supply twice a day on the other hand some areas do not get supply even on alternate days.
“Moreover, water supply lines in our areas need to be replaced with ones having more capacity as population has increased manifold in last some years due to construction of many new houses”, they added.
Ekta Sharma of Bohri and Rajan of Patta Chungi said that drainage system of their locality is very poor and drains always remain choked for days together till they approach the higher officials to get them clean by the Safai Karamcharis who seldom visit the locality. She further said that the nallah along main road from Bohri to Patta Chungi also remain blocked most of the times.
Residents of Bohri, Anand Vihar, Hajuri Bagh and other downward areas of the Ward said that due to release of waste water in the main nallah from wine factory at Bohri, it has become difficult for the people residing near nallah to even breathe as waste water released from the factory gives foul smell. They said that even after many representations to the concerned authorities, the wine factory has not been shifted completely from there.
People of some areas also complained of repeated fault in power lines due to decades-old electric lines, which need fresh wiring. “Power infrastructure is very poor in our locality and on every alternate day, the electric wires break”, Rakesh of Wazir Lane said. He added that in many areas fresh electrification has been done but in our locality it is yet to be done.
In many colonies like Surya Vihar and Anand Vihar, many by-lanes are yet to be cemented. Gourav of Surya Vihar said that he is living in the locality for last 15 years but the lane to his house is still ‘kuchha’ despite taking up the matter many times with concerned authorities.
Sanjay Baru, Corporator of the Ward, who is also State secretary of BJP, while talking to Excelsior said that he is aware of all the problems of his Ward like improper water supply, choked drains, poor infrastructure of PDD among others and has already initiated steps to redress all these issues.
Regarding water supply issue, he said that only old colonies are facing the water shortage as water pipes were laid there about three decades back and in present scenario when population has grown leaps and bounds these old water supply lines cannot cater to the need of the people. He said soon these pipes will be replaced with new ones of more capacity.
On issue of poor drainage system, the Corporator said that JMC has already started special drive in many areas like Patta Chungi, where drains were never cleaned. He said that one by one every area will be covered under this sanitation drive. However, he said that Safai Karamcharis alone cannot keep the localities clean and the general public will have to understand their responsibility to keep their surroundings clean.
The Corporator further said that tendering worth Rs 50 lakh has already been done for tiling of many lanes and left out small lanes will be covered in another plan.
On his priorities, Sanjay Baru said that construction of a community hall is his top priority as there is no such facility available for poor people who cannot afford private resorts for solemnizing marriages and other functions.
“I have also plan to construct a bathing ghat in the Ward as there is not even a single bathing ghat in the area. Moreover, a public toilet is urgently needed in the area as from Luthra School (starting point of the Ward) to Anand Nagar (ending point) there is no public toilet”, he added.
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