By: Jameela Akhter
Baramulla: Numerous villages in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are grappling with severe water scarcity that has led to public outcry triggering protests and even road blockades on the National Highway in various locations, Friday.
Residents in several areas of Baramulla including HanjiwaraPattan, SheeriNarvaw, BangdaraKreeri, and NowporaJagir allege that due to drinking water shortage, they were being forced to consume contaminated water of river Jehlum, canals, streams which is unhygienic resulting into exposure to a range of deadly waterborne diseases.
Women and elderly people of ShaltangSheeristaged a protest on Baramulla-Uri national highway near petrol pump Sheeri carrying their empty pots and buckets to protest against acute water shortage.
“There is no drinking water in our village and we are forced to drink contaminated water of MundriNallah which is unhygienic and hazardous,” rues Rehana Begum of ShaltangSheeri.
The scarcity of water has extended its grip to institutions as well. Sheeri Hospital and Middle School are also grappling with water shortages. “Students have no water to drink and the school’s Mid-Day Meal program and sanitation services have been severely affected at Government Middle School SheeriPayeen. Furthermore, the Primary Health Center (PHC) in Sheeri is also without water, subjecting patients and caregivers to additional hardships,” said oneRehana Begum.
Inhabitants of Kreeri and NowporaJagir took to the streets to express their frustration, causing disruptions in traffic flow. The protesters lamented the government’s failure to provide adequate water supply, casting doubts on the efficacy of the “HarGharJal” (Water to Every Home) initiative. “Safe drinking water remains an elusive dream for us. Despite numerous appeals to the relevant authorities, our concerns have fallen on deaf ears,” expressed a protester.
A similar outcry was reportedfromHanjiwariPattan, NowporaJagir of Wagoora area and other areas.
Executive Engineer,Jal Shakti Department,Baramulla, said that people were using drinking water for irrigation purposes due to which the shortage has occurred.
“I appeal to people to make judicious use of drinking water. Using drinking water for irrigating parks and kitchen gardens has been a cause of concern. Besides, people use motors to lift water which also disrupts supply of water to other residents,” he added.
