Tasaduq Hussain
Kupwara: Internet and latest gadgets have entered these remote villages of Kabab Marag, Hayen, Check pati and Poonchi Mohallah of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district but majority of the residents here do not have access to proper drinking water.
Located around 12 km from the Kupwara town, people of these villages have to wait in long queues for portable water as few tube wells have been made functional in these areas.
Hundreds of families are living in these areas and authorities concerned have failed to rise to the occasion while the villagers blame the local elected representatives of people.
“There are only a few hand pumps in the village which stop working in summer months,” Bashir Ahmad Khan, a resident of the village, told The INS.
“The only option we have is to dig pits and draw water using a small vessel and fill bigger cans. Majority of the village depends on this murky water in the pits,” he said.
Many use motorcycles to carry home cans of water and people living in Kabab Marag, Hayen, Check pati and Poonchi Mohallah carry pots on their head.
“With no other option we use this water. We filter the water once or twice at home and use it for drinking and other household purposes”, said a local Ruksana Bano.
Executive Engineer, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Kupwra, Farooq Ahmad told INS that he in field checkup with Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara and will be available later for his comments over the issue.
