Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 2: The residents of Durga Nagar Sector 1,2 and Dogra Nagar held a protest today at JMC Park Sec-1, in the area to express their deep anguish over the persisting water crisis that has severely affected the area. The protest was held under the banner of Durga Nagar Welfare Coordination Committee.
A joint protest was held to draw the urgent attention of the administration towards the critical water crisis being faced by the people of Durga Nagar and various localities surrounding it.
The protestors raising slogans demanded damaged Rising Main Pipe, Dreamcity -Muthi be restored immediately which was damaged during the recent floods.
They said even after the lapse of 12 days, the administration has failed to replace the pipe. The water supply falls under emergency essential services and the indifferent and delayed response is deeply disappointing and unacceptable, they added.
They said a new tube well commissioned barely two months ago with a capacity of 10,000 gallons/hour has now reduced its output drastically to 6,000 gallons/hour. It has remained non-functional for the past few days, and restoration work is moving at a very slow pace, they added.
They said presently, all major water supply sources stand non-functional. They said for the last 35 years, this area has suffered water scarcity, with residents bearing the hardships. However, the situation has now become unbearable as elderly people, patients, and children are the worst sufferers.
The protestors said that despite repeated appeals, grievances have gone unheard. The situation is further aggravated by stoppage of private water tankers, which earlier supplemented the demand of the residents.’
They alleged that only influential persons are receiving benefits of Government water tankers, while common masses continue to suffer.
They urged the administration, including the Chief Engineer (CE), Executive Engineer (Exn.), and all concerned authorities of Jal Shakti to ensure equitable free water tankers supply without discrimination or favouritism.
The residents requested immediate action to resolve this humanitarian crisis before it escalates further.
The protest was addressed by Sanjay Ganjoo, Chaman Lal Dhar
M.K.Razdan, Chand Ambardar, Sunil Raina, Dileep Handoo and others.
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