Rs 21.71 Cr water supply scheme fails to takeoff in Anantnag

Rambirpora-Kehribal continue face shortage of ‘safe drinking water’

Rambirpora-Kehribal areas of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district continue to face shortage of ‘safe drinking water’ as PHE Department has failed to complete Rs 21.71 Cr water supply scheme.

Foundation stone of the 1MGD Rambirpora-Kehribal Water Supply Scheme was laid by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on May 19, 2016. Scheme was taken up under NABARD and was to be completed within two years; however the department hasn’t even failed to complete the scheme but has now officially closed the file of scheme after withdrawing huge bills.

Pipes meant for the scheme on lying on road sides in Rambirpora-Kehribal and a filtration plant constructed in the area is also lying dysfunctional.

Irked over the official apathy, hopeless residents of Rambirpora-Kehribal villages are now demanding a fair probe and stern against all those officials who couldn’t resolve the issue and instead failed the multi-crore scheme.

“We approached everyone from PHE department officers to politicians but our repeated pleas weren’t given patient hearing and from top to bottom state administration couldn’t resolve a minor issue because of which the scheme failed,” residents told Early Times.

“We were told that people of Shangus constituency raised objections over the scheme and without exploring a settlement of the issue department ironically closed the scheme,” they said.

Altaf Ahmad, a local resident told Early Times that area comprising five villages Kheribal, Rampora, Ranbipora, Check- e-shardath and Wantrag are currently getting drinking water supply from Shah-Koul which is completely unsafe and can’t be used for drinking purposes.

“Health department very recently examined villagers and many among them have tested positive for Hepatitis disease,” he claimed.

PHE Department officials admitted that Rambirpora-Kehribal scheme hasn’t been completed.

However, they said that tussle between the people of two areas-Rambipora and Shnagus- over source taping of the scheme delayed its execution and because of which, has now been closed.

“Source of Rambirpora-Kehribal Water Supply Scheme was Nallah Arpath but people of Kuthar-Deethoo -Chattergul-falling in Shangus Assembly Constituency-raised objections and didn’t allow the department to execute the work,” said an officer, who previously had supervised the works.

He said that department had now submitted proposal for taking up the scheme under Languish Programme but it requires again huge amount.

“Now the PHE department plans to lift supply from Lidder stream at Mattan. Filtration plant constructed in the area and major portion of the pipeline will be utilized,” he added.

Pertinent to mention, during 2016-17 under NABARD loan assistance, 81 new water supply, irrigation &

Flood Control projects costing Rs. 313.37 crores were submitted to NABARD for funding out of which 42 water supply schemes costing 107.14 crores were approved

On December 2 last year, a team of vigilance raided the Civil Public Health Engineering (PHE) Division office in Bijbehara Anantnag district and had seized some important documents.

Raid was conducted after the Vigilance received complaints about large scale irregularities committed post 2014 floods.

It was also alleged that irregularities were committed in execution of 1MGD Rambirpora-Kehribal Water Supply Scheme, which has been taken up under NABARD at a cost of Rs 21.71 crore, Hassanpora-Tavella water supply scheme, Kistwar-Semthan water supply scheme and in other high budgeted scheme. However it is unclear, whether the vigilance investigation into these allegations has reached to any logical conclusion.