Issues will be resolved within one week: DC
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 18: The families of recently relocated Kashmiri Pandit employees in the newly constructed accommodation at Wandhama in Ganderbal district today voiced their distress over the lack of basic facilities.
Residents in the newly assigned apartments, intended for employees engaged under the Prime Minister’s package, said they are grappling with several pressing issues, including a shortage of drinking water, the absence of proper roads within the premises, and, notably, the lack of a main gate and a secure boundary wall.
“We were transferred here from Tulmulla after our children secured jobs under the PM Package, but we don’t even have a proper entrance gate. Regarding basic amenities, we’ve been provided with almost nothing, not even clean drinking water,” lamented one resident, Santhosh Bhan.
The absence of a secure gate, as per residents, has also raised security concerns among the inhabitants.
They fear that without a proper entrance, anyone can easily access the premises, endangering their safety. “Who would be responsible in case of any untoward incidents,” they asked.
The distressed residents, currently occupying 35 out of the total 64 apartments, raised numerous issues, including damaged manholes, unsanitary drinking water storage tanks, vehicles getting stuck in the mud due to the absence of proper roads, and the authorities’ negligence in timely emptying trash bins.
“We are humans, not animals; they can’t just abandon us here. It would be better to relocate us elsewhere because it is extremely challenging for us to live under such conditions,” emphasized the residents.
Pintu, whose son is employed under the PM Package, commended the Government’s initiative to provide proper housing but pointed out that the arrangements fall short, resulting in a host of issues.
“We used to live in Tulmulla, where we faced space constraints. We appreciate the Government’s efforts, but there are still unresolved issues such as access to clean drinking water and other civic problems,” he stated.
With the apartment building spanning four stories, residents on the upper floors suffer from water shortages, exacerbated by the presence of dirty water tanks, which they claim is a breeding ground for diseases.
“The septic tank and the well supplying water are located at the same spot, which is quite ironic. The parking area is also in disrepair, and we lack essential amenities like medical and grocery stores. Additionally, the electricity supply is inconsistent,” explained Pintu.
“We have already raised these concerns with the district administration, but as of now, the issues remain unaddressed,” the residents stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal, Shyambir Singh, along with other officials, visited Wandhama and issued necessary directives to address the issues. “We have discussed all the issues they are facing, and all these concerns will be resolved in weeks’ time,” he told Excelsior.
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