Jammu: With the onset of summer season, the threat of drinking water crisis has started looming large as against the demand of 250 lakh gallons water (GW), Jammu city at present is getting a supply of 225 lakh gallons.
As per sources, the drinking water shortage may increase in the city from the month of May and the Jammu city presently is facing a shortage of 10 per cent i.e. 25 lakh gallons of water.
“Once the summer season will be at its peak, the drinking water crisis is likely to be affected,” they said, claiming that due to non-completion of new projects, the drinking water facility is likely to hit the Jammu city in coming days.
According to the 2011 census, they asserted that nearly seven lakh people may face the drinking water problem and said, “at present, 250 lakh gallons of water is required but, 225 lakh gallons of water is being supplied every day, which means less than 10 per cent of water is not being supplied out of the total supply.”
The per capita water requirement is 135 litres, sources said while passing on bucks to the Jal Shakti Department stating that in the last one decade, no new project has taken off and even the project of 20 tube-wells could also not be implemented that may trigger outcry regarding water in the summer season.
“Many localities have already started facing the water shortage with the onset of summer season while private tankers are being pressed into service to meet the supply,” sources revealed.
Notably, last year, protests sparked in Nai Basti, Kalika Colony, Satwari, Trikuta Nagar and Narwal areas due to water shortage.
“The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for several projects was already framed and forwarded to the right quarters but it is yet to be implemented on ground,” said a senior official pleading anonymity.
He revealed that as per the DPR, there is a need to increase the capacity of Sheetali, Boria and storage plants besides installation of new tube wells and repairing the old to meet the daily supply of drinking water.
“Hiring private tankers for water supply is not a permanent solution and for how long this exercise will continue because supplying water through tanks is for urgent situations but if the projects are properly initiated, existing infrastructure is repaired, there will be no shortage of water supply,” said an official.
Meanwhile some of the locals have not only raised hue and cry over the drinking water shortage but also the contaminated water supply in some of the areas that may cause water-borne diseases.
“Yes, we agree that there is a shortage of water supply but efforts are being made to supply it as per the requirement in most of the parts and we will ensure that the crisis may not deepen further as this matter of utmost concern is under deliberations and discussion by the higher authorities,” said an official wishing not to be quoted.
