Legislators raise concerns over contaminated water supply in Srinagar

Jammu, March 6: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, on Thursday said that no water pipes were damaged in Srinagar and that every area had access to potable water.

Replying to a question from National Conference MLA Shameem Firdous, the Minister said that whenever and wherever a distribution line gets damaged, it is restored under stage contracts.
"If any pipeline is damaged beyond repair, it is replaced with a new one," he added.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the Minister’s response, Firdous pointed out that in several areas of Nishat, the piped water was so contaminated that residents used it only “for doing dishes and laundry.”

"For drinking purposes, they have to fetch water from outside," she said.

NC MLA Mubarak Gul also raised concerns, saying that many parts of the city, including Noor Bagh and Bakshi Pora, were struggling with access to safe drinking water.

In response, the Minister reiterated that the department remained committed to providing safe drinking water to the public.

He said that the department is providing sufficient potable water as per the schedule of existing water treatment plants.

"There is no area without potable water", added the Minister.