water shortage in jammu

Rs 1008 cr mega project for greater Jammu City faces shortage of 30 lakh gallons water
Despite construction of over 50 Tube Wells in and around Jammu by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) in just last three to four years, the city of temples is still facing 3 MGL (30 lakh gallons) shortage of water per day while a Rs 1008 crore mega water supply project has been prepared for greater Jammu to augment water supply for next 30 years.

Like every summer, many areas of Jammu city are still facing acute shortage of water during these summer months despite claims of the concerned department to enhance the water supply. The city areas like Roop Nagar, Janipur, Indira Colony, Buta Nagar, Naseeb Nagar, Ploura, Durga Nagar, Muthi, Ban Talab, New Plots, Sainik Colony, Bathindi, Sunjwan, Narwal, Greater Kailash etc are still reeling under water shortage. Many areas get water supply just once a day and that too not for sufficient prescribed time period.

While the PHE authorities pass on the buck to the Power Development Department, claiming that long curtailment during summer affect the smooth supply of water to many areas because majority of the Tube Wells in Jammu were dependent on the electricity supply as the water is pumped. Though, Sitlee water supply point has brought a lot of respite this year after completion of work, yet overall shortage of water in the winter capital city is not yet over. Everyday, the people are staging protests on the roads in many parts of Jammu. Even the rural areas are badly hit. The areas like Samba, Kathua and parts of Akhnoor are also facing water crisis. They have to remain dependent on tanker supply during these hot summer days especially when all the natural water sources dry up.

Chief Engineer PHE Jammu region, B R Dogra, when contacted told the Excelsior that department was presently providing nearly 42 MGL of water per day to the population of over 13 lakhs in Jammu city. He said the net requirement of potable water against this population is 45 MGL of water per day. So, 3 MGLs of water shortage was still there.

Responding to a question Mr Dogra said through ERA over 50 Tube Wells have been constructed in Jammu city and nearly 16 MGLs of water supply is targeted after commissioning of all these Wells. He said though 49 Tube Wells have been completed and handed over by them but inter-connectivity of many of them was still incomplete. He disclosed that even less than fifty percent of this connectivity job has been performed. He however, claimed that when this task will be over the problem of shortage will also overcome. Out of the total 49, 30 are on left bank of river Tawi while 19 on the right bank (North side) of the city.

Mr Dogra pointed out that due to long power cuts the water supply is affected. He said over 205 Tube Wells were dependent on power supply. On an average 2/3 of them remain out of order due to mechanical fault and get affected due to power curtailment. Low voltage is yet another problem. It aggravates the problem during hot summer days. He disclosed that over 50 water tankers have also been deployed in Jammu city to cater to the need of the people during these summer days. For the next year, the department is planning to construct Boria Tube Well near Bagh-e-Bahu with the estimated cost of Rs 50 lakhs. It will provide additional one lakh gallons of water per hour.

When asked about future plans, Mr Dogra said a Rs 1008 crore mega water supply project, fetching water from river Chenab is being formulated to cater to the needs of Greater Jammu for next 30 years. The project has been prepared by ERA and is being submitted to the Government for getting final nod. He said in view of the increasing population, such project was must as Tawi will not be able to cater to the needs of large population in next 20-30 years, Mr Dogra added.