SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Tuesday e-inaugurated 10 water supply schemes in Kupwara’s Lolab constituency, completed at a cost of ₹35.64 crore and expected to benefit 5,662 households.
According to officials, the schemes have been executed by the Jal Shakti Public Health Engineering (PHE) Division Kupwara and are aimed at improving access to safe and reliable drinking water in the area.
The projects include Water Supply Scheme (WSS) Khabuth Dar Mohalla, covering 93 households in Maindanpora; WSS Dever Anderbugh, benefiting 1,400 households in Dever and Anderbugh; WSS Gangbugh, serving 450 households in Sogam; and WSS Krusen, covering 626 households in Krusen.
Other schemes inaugurated were WSS Walkhul for 200 households in Tekipora, WSS Gadwah for 91 households in Sewer Thendipora, WSS Kawari Harden Sewer for 900 households in Sewer Thendipora, WSS Mergi for 250 households in Dever Anderbugh, WSS Gundmacher for 452 households in Rekh Muchwari and Rakhi Gundmacher, and WSS Surigam-Wavoora-Bon Maidanpora, which will provide water supply to 1,200 households.
Speaking at the event, Rana said the government was focused on strengthening basic infrastructure and improving the delivery of essential public services. He described access to safe drinking water as a priority and said efforts were underway to expand and complete water supply projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister directed officials to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the newly commissioned schemes and stressed the need for regular monitoring and timely completion of ongoing projects.
Rana also said he would visit Lolab to review the functioning of the schemes and assess progress on other projects under execution.
MLA Lolab Qaisar Jamshaid Lone welcomed the inauguration and said several villages would receive piped drinking water supply for the first time.
Officials said around 30 additional water supply schemes across Kashmir are ready for inauguration, including projects in Kulgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam and Kupwara. These include 10 schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) costing ₹64.78 crore, 14 schemes funded through NABARD at ₹59.69 crore, three projects under the Union Territory Capex programme worth ₹11.95 crore and one scheme under AMRUT 2.0 costing ₹1.41 crore.
