Baramulla, Jan 29 (KNO): Residents of Hanjiwera Bala in Baramulla's Pattan area continue to face a severe drinking water crisis, despite multiple assurances and government initiatives aimed at providing safe and adequate water supply.
For over 13 years, the residents have struggled to have access to the clean drinking water, forcing them to rely on unsafe sources, which they say pose significant health risks.
The aggrieved residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that they have repeatedly approached the authorities, but their requests went unheard. “We fail to understand why we are being ignored when the infrastructure is already in place,” they said.
“Under the government’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched to provide tap water connections to every household, several areas of Jammu and Kashmir have reportedly benefited. However, we the residents of Hanjiwera Bala have been seemingly excluded, despite the water supply pipeline passing near their locality,” they claim.
They further said that they are forced to use contaminated and unsafe water for consumption, which led to frequent health issues, particularly waterborne diseases.
The residents, who took to the streets today, blocked the National Highway, which resulted in traffic jams and inconvenience to the commuters. Traffic was restored later on after police and civil official intervention.
The aggrieved residents said that the ongoing crisis has significantly impacted their daily life. “With no direct water supply, residents have to fetch water from distant locations, affecting their work, education and overall well-being. The scarcity has also increased household expenses, as many families are forced to purchase drinking water.”
They urged the administration to take immediate action and address the long-pending issue besides, called for an inquiry into the delay in providing water supply and have requested authorities to expedite the process.
“This is not just an issue of basic amenities; it is a matter of public health and human dignity. The government needs to intervene and resolve this issue without further delay,” they said.
Meanwhile, the officials assured that the genuine demand will be looked into and expected early redressal to avoid any further inconvenience to the residents—(KNO)