Shopian village without piped water for 3 years

Shopian, Jul 21: A far-off village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district has been struggling for drinking water for the last three years. Residents of Nildora village said that scores of households in the area are without piped water for the last three years, spurring them to fetch water from a nearby stream. The daily struggle for water has made women make multiple trips to a nearby stream, turning a basic necessity into a tiring and time-consuming chore. "In the biting cold or scorching summer heat, the first thing we have to do each morning is to fetch water", said Khatji, a woman from the village.

The residents said that due to the consumption of contaminated water, a threat of water borne diseases always looms large.

Bashir Ahamd, another resident, said that Jal Shakti Department sends water tankers only once in a week and most of the residents are forced to manage with it. "For something as routine as doing the dishes, our women are forced to use water from the stream," he said. The residents also said that the Jal Shakti Department laid pipes months ago, but the supply is yet to be connected, leaving the infrastructure useless and their wait for water unending. The residents claimed that they have repeatedly approached officials, but their pleas have gone unheard. They urged the authorities to provide the piped water to the area. Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Department, Shopian did not respond to the calls of this reporter. However, another official said that the department would look into the matter.