Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Oct 21: There is a brewing public resentment in Samba and Kathua districts especially in the Kandi belt as people are facing constant water scarcity for months together due to the break down of scores of sub stations of PHE.
According to sources the most affected areas included Hiranagar, Kathua, Basholi, Billawar, Bani and Samba tehsils.
The issue was also taken up by MLA Basholi Jagdish Raj Sapolia with Deputy Commissioner Kathua who sought his immediate intervention in restoration of pump stations in Kandi belt which has led to public outcry.
Mr Sapolia said that the authorities have restored some pump stations while they have assured to restore the remaining within days.
Not only in Basohli but people in Kathua, Hirangar, Bani and Billawar tehsils of Kathua district and Samba tehsil are also facing acute water scarcity due to breakdown of sub stations of PHE Department at various places.
To over come the problem the authorities have pressed in water tankers in these localities but they are unable to cater to the growing needs of the people said Ramesh Lal a resident of Koota Hiranagar.
He said even people faced acute water scarcity during the holy festival of Navratra. MLA Hiranagar Durga Dass while admitting that the Kandi belt of his Constituency is worst hit by water shortage alleged that the authorities have failed to overcome the problem over the years with the result the people are suffering a lot.
Sources said over 40 sub stations are defunct in Kathua district alone while over a dozen substations are defunct in Samba district whose restoration needs on war footing as the public resentment is growing against the same.
However when contacted Executive Engineer, PHE Kathua said that there are 300 substations in the Kathua PHE Division alone and out of them 20 to 25 can remain non functional due to various reasons like power failure, mechanical fault etc. This is a routine affair, he added.
He said however many sub stations have been restored and the problem was caused due to recent floods and hail storm. He expressed the hope that the remaining substations will also be restored by Diwalai.
Executive Engineer PHE Samba said that the problem took place due to heavy rains and floods in the last month. However maximum sub stations were restored while one are two are still defunct due to power failure.
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