Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla has taken a proactive stance on the water crisis in Jammu by engaging in discussions with key officials.
The Congress leader spoke to Minister concerned Javed Rana and Divisional Commissioner Jammu to address the pressing issue of water scarcity in the region. Bhalla has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has been vocal about various issues affecting the region, including development, dignity and peace.
By reaching out to the Divisional Commissioner and the Minister, Bhalla said he will continue to find solutions to the water crisis and ensure that the people of Jammu have access to this basic necessity.
Bhalla also addressed aggrieved people of Bahu Fort area and listen to their grievances. Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with an alarming unemployment rate, which has reached 21% according to the International Labour Organization’s Employment Report 2024. The Centre failed to provide concrete solutions to address unemployment.
Bhalla highlighted water crisis in Jammu district and said it has worsened, with the poor struggling to access water despite the launch of a new app for seeking water tanker services. The app, meant to facilitate easy access to water tankers, has failed to benefit the underprivileged, who cannot afford the services.
Residents in areas like Bhatindi, Chowadi, Channi, Narwal, and others face severe water scarcity, receiving water only once every 3 days, and even then, only for a brief 30-minute period with low pressure. This has led to widespread protests, with citizens demanding uninterrupted water supply and an end to the tanker mafia’s exploitation.
Bhalla observed that to address this crisis, the government must intervene to ensure equitable access to water, particularly for the poor. This can be achieved by upgrading pipelines, reducing leakages, and increasing water storage capacity, ensuring affordable and transparent pricing, and preventing the exploitation of citizens by the tanker mafia.
The Jal Shakti Mission’s efforts to address the water crisis in Jammu region have fallen short, with residents still facing irregular water supply. Despite being a flagship program aimed at providing safe and adequate drinking water to all households by 2024, the Mission has struggled to meet its objectives in the region, Bhalla added.
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