Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Aug 13: The PHE Department has failed to restore water supply to more than a dozen villages and many hamlets in Chhatral-Kalaban, Harni, Gursai, Balakote, Sangiot and Nakka Majari area of Mendhar sub division in Poonch, as the much needed Rs 28 lakh for ensuring emergency works have not been released by the concerned department.
There is strong resentment among the people of this entire area because for the last more than three weeks the drinking water supply could not be restored to the population of over 40,000 souls. The people have been left to suffer and they are forced to drink most unhygienic water from the ponds, nallas and other natural water sources. The pipes were broken due to flash floods, cloud bursts and soil erosion whiles seven water pumping stations have been damaged. Some dug wells and three major water stations machinery/ motors also got damaged with flood. No restoration work has been initiated and the concerned PHE staff has turned mute spectators while the public is suffering. Even the concerned MLA and Administration have failed to project this most genuine issue of essential supplies of the public.
AEE PHE, Mendhar Showkat Choudhary when contacted said that he had projected a demand of Rs 28 lakh for immediate restoration of water supply by repairing damaged machinery and stations affected with flood. The indents have been passed and lying with the Executive Engineer PHE, Poonch. But, till date the Sub Division has not received the funds from Divisional office. The water supply will be restored with in ten days after receiving the much needed funds, the AEE maintained.
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