Saroor
Jammu, Dec 27: Initiated under the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL), the water ATMs project worth Rs 1.6 crores is ‘biting dust’ and could not take off even after nine months of its launch.
Sources in the Jammu Municipal Corporation said that under the Jammu Smart City Project, 30 water ATMs were installed in April this year at a cost of Rs 1.6 crore with a motive to provide pure water to the people, but the execution is not visible on ground.
“Almost nine months have passed; Municipal Corporation could not start the water ATM as most of the machines are not connected to the pipeline and many do not have electricity connections,” sources added.
Surprisingly, the water ATM outside the JMC is also not operational, they said and added that Nehru Market, which was among one of the identified locations to install the facility, is the worst hit as truckers and passersby face problems.
“Commuters have to depend upon readily available plastic water bottles that cost around Rs 20/- for one litres water whereas five liters of water is available from a water ATM for just one rupee,” they added.
Sources said that under the project, water vending machines are still being installed at all rotaries and public places in the city.
Apart from this, machines are installed outside SMGS Hospital, Gandhinagar Hospital and M A Stadium, Apsara Road, Bus Stand, K C Chowk, Indira Chowk, St. Peter’s School, Dogra Chowk, Vikram Chowk, Ambphala Chowk, Kachhi Chhawni, Rehari Chowk, Green Belt Park, Digiana Chowk.
“Water ATMs have been installed at Gangyal Chowk, Kunjwani Chowk, Railway Station, Panjtirthi and Parade, but are not working,” they said.
A local said that water ATM was installed by the corporation this year itself, but since then it is not working.
“Work on the project is in progress. Machines have been installed by the corporation. Payment has been made to the concerned department for water and electricity connections,” said a senior official.
Meanwhile the Jal Shakti Department official added that connections will be given after examining the applications, adding, “as far as the electricity issue is concerned, they are provided to several water ATMs and facilities will be available soon.
