Drinking water scarcity in Jammu
VIVEK SHARMA
JAMMU: With mercury rising and the Jammu City reeling under the scorching heat, the Jammu and Kashmir Jal Shakti Department is grappling to supply the drinking water to all the colonies. The situation has become precarious as the tankers meant to supply water to un-served areas are off- the- road due to non-availability of funds for diesel.
Having credible inputs about misappropriation of funds, the government is reported to have directed the Chief Engineer Jal Shakti Jammu to halt all the PHE tankers, which has led to deprivation of much needed service to most of the unserved colonies, especially those where water shortage is a regular phenomenon.
Over 30 water tankers are operated in Jammu city free of cost and in summer these tankers used to remain operational full day.
“We reside in Durga Nagar and there is hardly water supply once or twice a week, and rest of the days the PHE tankers supply drinking water in our locality and once or twice a month we have to order the private water tanker on payments also”, Ram Saroop Sharma, a resident said, adding “Now that the facility has been stopped, how is it possible for us to meet our basic requirements.”
Sources said that the government has stopped the funds for the fuel expenses of these 30 water tankers, as there were lots of inputs on misappropriation of funds under the maintenance and fuel head.
It has also been learnt that the government may order the audit of the expenses of these water tankers. Despite the public hue and cry, the Jal Shakti, Jammu failed to address the water shortage in the City.
Chief Engineer Jal Shakti, Jammu, Er Manesh Bhat could not be contacted for his comments, despite repeated calls from the STATE TIMES.