Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 25: In a unique initiative, the local people from Latti area of remote Dudu Sub Division temporarily repaired over 11 kms long water supply line to Latti town and about half a dozen villages and several hamlets which were facing severe drinking water crisis for the last about eight months.
The sources said that after several requests to the higher authorities in the PHE at Udhampur and Chenani to release funds for the repair of broken and leaking old pipes for the restoration of proper water supply to Latti tehsil and getting no response, the public from the town led by Sarpanch, Kasturi Lal Gupta ( Chairman Latti Development Committee), along with other members, Panchs, two retired PHE workers and three CP workers at their own initiative, after trekking about 11 kms tough steep mountain up to the water source, repaired the leaking pipes by taking temporary measures and restored the water supply to the affected areas.
About thirty local people were part of the team which managed to restore two time water supply to the Latti Khas and adjoining villages like Gandal, Pouna, Bhugal and Bari which were badly hit. Some areas were receiving a little, one time supply after breakdown in the system about eight months ago.
The LDC chairman said that this pipe line was laid up to the source at Gurjeri Dhar and Taiyen about 42 years ago. The area has expanded now and it has also become Tehsil. Many pipes are old and got damaged and almost all the joints of the pipes are leaking. The locals used sharpen sticks and other material to repair the leakage. They also took the help of two local linemen for this work. The Panchayat members urged upon the higher PHE authorities at Udhampur to release funds and provide other material for the permanent repair of the water supply line, by replacing old and broken pipes. They also demanded early launch of work on new Water Supply Scheme for Latti area worth Rs 2.98 crore, pending for the last many months.
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