Sopore, Oct 31 (KNO): Acute drinking water scarcity sparked multiple protests in Sopore on Friday, with residents of Nowpora and Model Town accusing the Jal Shakti Department of negligence and failure to restore water supply for over two weeks.
Residents at Nowpora, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they are being forced to buy bottled water from the market and use unsafe alternative sources to meet their needs.
Despite repeated pleas, the authorities failed to restore the drinking water supply that has remained suspended for the last 15 days, they said.
Residents, who took to the streets shouting slogans against the department, alleged that the water supply scheme feeding the area was halted by officials citing safety reasons, leaving hundreds of households without drinking water.
The aggrieved locals also criticized their MLA for ignoring their plight. They urged the administration to revive the scheme or provide regular water tankers until a permanent solution is implemented.
Following intervention by the civil administration and police, the protest was called off after officials assured the residents that their grievances would be addressed at the earliest.
A similar protest erupted in Model Town C, where residents expressed anger over the persistent shortage. They said they were forced to hire private water tankers at Rs 1,400 each, which is insufficient to meet the needs of the entire locality.
“The departments are only passing the buck while people suffer,” said one of the residents. “We will wait till Monday. If the issue remains unresolved, we will intensify our protest and the administration will be responsible.”
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Sopore, Sheikh Tariq, acknowledged the issue and said efforts are underway for its early redressal. “By Monday, the water supply will be restored,” he assured.
He urged residents to register their grievances with his office or at any convenient platform instead of resorting to road blockades. “Blocking roads only adds to the suffering of common people. I request residents to wait patiently for the issue to be resolved,” he said—(KNO)