Taps remain dry, water supplied once in a fortnight
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Despite big claims of the government to provide tapped water to every household whether in rural or urban areas under the Central Government’s sponsored scheme Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Sunjwan area falling in ward no 74 seems to be out of purview of this scheme because the water supply remains affected for days together forcing the people to buy water from private tanker operators.
This situation has forced the people to face the brunt during the summer months as drops of water falls in the taps of the people on fortnightly basis thus making their lives a virtual hell. What is more agonizing is the fact that despite complaints and queries the people sitting at helm are unmoved and have done nothing substantial to rectify the problem. The area falling well within the JMC’s jurisdiction is facing this problem for quite some time now but there is no one to listen to the plight of the affected lot as people are buying water for daily needs and life has become miserable.
Surinder Gupta, a local, said that a feeling comes in mind as we are the second class citizens. He said that people of this ward are victims of official apathy as they only know how they are managing things in the absence of regular water supply.
Another resident Rupesh Kumar said that water tankers are the only source of drinking water for the people living in the vicinity. “From government side people are not getting any help as the promise of tapped water to every household seems to be a sham because our taps remain dry for days together”, he said, adding that JMC should come out of slumber to do something to ensure water supply at least once a day.
While talking to STATE TIMES, Sobat Ali, Councilor Ward No 74 has confirmed that this ward is worst affected as there is no one to listen to the plight of people who are struggling to cope up with acute dearth even the potable water leave aside the case of water for other purposes. He said it is irony that the government is boasting about making Jammu a Smart City but the reality is that people here are lurching for tapped water and are relying on private contractors to cater to their daily needs regarding water.
It is a matter of great concern that those responsible for providing water to the localities falling under aforesaid ward are indifferent and in no mood to act in the direction to provide the water to hundreds of households affected by their lethargic approach towards duty.
Despite repeated attempts, Mayor Chander Mohan Gupta could not be contacted for comments.
