Installation of a Water Meters

Water is a rare commodity. With each passing day, scarcity of water is increasing. This is a global scenario.  Migration to urban areas and population explosion are two main reasons causing pressure on supply of drinking water. Water sources are depleting owing to geological changes and glaciers are melting with the result that perennial flow of water is threatened. Condition in dry and arid areas and deserts is worse.

Water supply scheme has brought many urban and rural areas under its ambit. Many regions that suffered scarcity of water especially the kandi regions are now having access to water though some areas still remain deprived. That much should go to the credit of the State Government.

But we in the state are faced with a man made problem in the context of supply of drinking water for individual or commercial use. The problem is wanton waste of water and total ignorance about its economic use. The waste is of much larger scale in commercial units than for private consumption. Our careless and imprudent attitude towards the use of water deprives millions of people of this vital commodity. The time has come that use of water is to be restrained whether for private or for commercial use. Alive to this situation, the Government took serious view of the matter and decided that metering of water connections should be undertaken without waste of time. The Government set 30 June as the deadline for metering water connections in all commercial establishments across the State. In most of the States water connections are metered. It has two benefits. One is that it generates revenue to supplement water supply schemes and the second is that it exercises voluntarily control on the use of water. As long as water connections remain unmetered people are tempted to wanton waste of water to the woe of millions of people who are thirsting for a single drop. Since the Government issues warning that the officials of PHE would be held responsible for not metering water connections the officials began the mission with all zeal. But as is now known late last year the PHE Department on the directions from the higher-ups procured around 2400 meters (majority of them meant for domestic category) without any clarity about whether all sorts of connections would be taken up for metering in one go or in phased manner. The confusion has not been cleared so far while instructions are issued to the PHE.

In order to remove the confusion, the Government must first clarify whether metering is to be done to commercial connections only or to both commercial as well as the private ones. If this confusion is cleared, the rest will follow. In our opinion, metering of all water connections should be enforced and without delay. But the Government can and should make distinction between private connections and commercial connections. This would also mean difference in the rate of water tax which will be higher in the case of commercial units and lower for domestic unties.

Metering should be in all the regions of the State along uniform principle. At the same time, while metering will be carried out as per the instructions of the Government, PHE shall have to ensure that water supply remain uninterrupted in all metered areas. The situation obtaining now in Jammu city is that if there is power cut, water supply is also affected sometimes minimally and some times maximally. A foolproof arrangement shall have to be made to make supply of drinking water uninterrupted in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar and most of the towns. Whether this is practicable or not is a matter that should be discussed by the civil society in collaboration with the Government. With all said and done, big responsibility lies with the people or the consumers. They must understand that they have no right to waste the water which is a rare commodity and of immense necessity to the society. We appreciate Government’s concern for conserving water as a precious commodity. Metering of water connections should take place at full speed and any slackness on the part of the officials and functionaries of PHE should be taken a serious view of.

Saving water bodies in Kashmir

When god created the blue planet and filled the deep drenches with fresh water, he would have hardly thought that one day man will pollute it to such an extent where from it will become impossible to beat a retreat. The importance of water is becoming a worldwide issue and India does not fall too deep in the count. And in India, when we peep deep, J&K is found quite high up in the list.

Indeed, Srinagar is blessed with the deep depths of the Dal and the Pacific water of the Wullar besides the countless little rivers and streams. The valley might be decorated by these water bodies by nature itself, but only to be polluted with heap of waste by the people themselves.

The various aspects which are responsible for snatching the glory of these water bodies, we found five main cornerstones after a detailed case study of 25 days.

* Heavy drenching of Dal still unnoticed:-
When it comes to drenching, it has been going on from the past few years openly and unnoticed. The people to hold responsible are the boatmen residing in houseboats who every now and then try to convert a portion of the Dal into a kitchen garden. Our team has even found a company of boatmen cultivating vegetables on large scale for commercial purposes. On looking into the water and after a prolonged investigation, it was found that the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) Department constructed a separate colony years ago near JVC Bemina to habitat the boatman on large scale and curb encroachment. The plan worked for a couple of years. But after that, to utmost surprise, these boatmen sold away these houses in colonies to earn revenue and rehabilitated to house-boats again on mass-scale to add to the problem.

* Waste-disposal into Dal:-
Valley produces tons of garbage every day. Besides the local people residing near the water bodies, some other vehicles ferrying waste from surrounding areas were found dumping heaps of garbage into these water bodies en mass.
The environmental activists reacted to the serious problem which later ended up in the construction of large pits for waste disposal and free dustbins especially to Dal residents.

* Sewage-flow Dal and Wullar:-
In the past few years, all the drains in the city and adjoining had one common destination? The Dal in the central and the Wullar in the northern side. Due to constant sewage flow into these water bodies, their size was decreased by around 15 kilometers which is shocking yet not surprising.

Taking notice of the serious problem, various sewage-treatment plants were established which ceased a problem to a greater extent but our team report suggests that there is still a lot of work to be done to tighten the screws on the grave problems.

* Use of toxic chemicals:-
To ensure early ripening of the fruits and increase the size and quantity of other commercial vegetables, valley-folk drove relentlessly towards profitable and lucrative markets by making use of chemicals which proved to be a disaster for the aquatic life.

The case study in Apple town of Kashmir sopore revealed to our team that decline in fish population in world famous Wullar lake was a consequence of the frequent use of toxic-chemicals. And that was not all! The use of these chemicals became so orthodox that they soon began to be supplied to every nook and corner of the valley. As ill luck would have it, the ultimate sufferer of the hazard was the aquatic life in general and surrounding population in particular.

As an evil consequence, Cholera cases were reported recently from several villages like Lawaypora.
This case study was enough to reveal the curtains which had not been raised from several previous dark years.

Consolidation of water resources

Terming the last 3 years a golden era for the departments underneath his charge, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and control Taj Mohi -ud -Din nowadays aforementioned consolidation of water resources within the State was a serious action throughout the amount.

Addressing a public meeting at Bhanderkote in Tangmarg nowadays, the Minister aforementioned underneath his leadership several historic steps to preserve, defend and consolidate water resources within the State were taken by the govt.. He aforementioned J&K Water Resources Act 2010 was a vital milestone during this direction. He aforementioned many alternative steps were taken like construction of Ravi Canal and construction of lake Jammu Tawi, Chattabal weir and stabilization of water level in Jehlum, besides stabilization and improvement of the many previous and necessary irrigation schemes.

Mr Taj aforementioned around Rs. one thousand large integer are completed as water usage charges from varied agencies that is around one third of the State's total revenues. He aforementioned water usage charges collected would be utilzied for purchasing back power comes or rising water resources within the State. For this, he aforementioned recently associate ordinance was conjointly issued by the govt..

Responding to the native demands, the Minister proclaimed unleash of Rs one.50 large integer for water theme (WSS) at Bhanderkote. He conjointly directed for preparation of project for rising and maintaining Roose Kute Canal and upgradation of native reservoir and distribution network. He conjointly directed for completion of flood protection works within the space on priority.

The Minister conjointly directed for formulation of project report for irrigating orchards and kandi areas within the section.

Chief Engineer, PHE Kashmir G.R. Zargar and officers of district administration attended the Minister throughout.

Conserving Traditional Water Sources

Minister for PHE, Irrigation & control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din nowadays stressed the requirement for conserving ancient sources of water.

Interacting with a delegation of National Institute of geophysics (NIH) here this morning, the Minister asked them to undertake a study of ponds and pools in Kandi belt and counsel measures to stabilize their water discharge.

In this regard, Mr. Taj underscored the requirement for cooperative makes an attempt by all involved agencies like PHE, Irrigation & control, CCDU and National Institutes of Health and alternative agencies.

Earlier, in his making known, Director, NIH, R. D. Singh apprised the Minister concerning the activities of his organization. He aforesaid the institute, since its origination in 1978, has conducted seventy two analysis studies on varied aspects of geophysics together with ice mass modification, water gather in Kandi areas and cloudbursts etc.

Commissioner-Secretary, PHE, Irrigation & control, B. D. Sharma, Chief Engineers of all the wings and alternative officers were conjointly gift on the occasion.

Later, the Minister, alongwith MLA, Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, reviewed the pace of hydraulic works in Pattan body.

Mr. Taj affected upon the engineers to pace up work on water system theme, Devar and take up stabilization works of Bala Khul in hand. He conjointly directed completion of civil works at Hanjiwera gate straightaway.

The Minister asked the engineers to complete all in progress schemes among the targeted time schedule so the advantages of those schemes reach the folks at the earliest.

Chief Engineers of PHE, Irrigation & control Departments besides officers and engineers were gift within the meeting.

Water Shortage in Samba

Samba facing shortage of over 5 lakh gallon water per day

Due to depletion of sources such as tube wells and dug wells, Samba has been facing shortage of over 5 lakh gallon water per day.

This information was provided by Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, on behalf of Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, while replying to the Calling Attention Notice of National Panthers Party MLA, Yash Pal Kundal.

"Present availability of water from all sources is 23,65,000 gallon per day as against the present requirement of 28,65,959 gallon per day thereby causing shortage of 5,00,959 gallon per day", he said, adding "shortage of drinking water is due to increase in population and depletion of sources such as tube wells and dug wells especially during summer season".

He said shortage in general would be addressed by the completion of ongoing schemes as well as new schemes taken up / projected during the last fiscal and current financial year.

Stating that department has already taken a number of steps to overcome the shortage of drinking water, the Minister said that for augmentation of water supply to Deon, Deghar, Fedyali, Paddal and Rajool areas, a scheme for delinking of Surinsar Lake has been started during 2011-12 under Special Task Force at an estimated cost of Rs 723.59 lakh.

"About 30, 000 gallons per hour capacity filtration plant is under construction at village Dab Chilla and the scheme has been proposed to be completed within 2 years subject to availability of funds / material", the Minister said, adding "a new dug well has been framed under source sustainability at estimated cost of Rs 198 lakh for these tail end villages to supplement existing sources and has been reflected during the current financial year under NRDWP".

"The woks under various ongoing schemes are also in progress besides new proposals / projects are also under consideration over the years to overcome the shortage of drinking water in these areas", the Minister maintained.

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Disappearing Ponds of Kashmir

Thirty years ago, Avend village in the south Kashmir district of Shopian was also called 'Talaab Gaam' because of dozens of fresh water ponds surrounding it. All but one of these ponds have now disappeared because of encroachments and other constructions.

 According to the residents of the village, 60 km south of Srinagar, apart from encroachments, government buildings, schools, graveyards and funeral prayer grounds now stand where the ponds once existed. Villagers say a few influential families encroached on the ponds by dumping mud and debris of old houses to dry them out and build on them. "It was the helplessness of the villagers before these selfish people and negligence from government side that failed to preserve these ponds," Shabir Ahmad Bhat, a villager, said.

 Avend's case is symptomatic of what is happening in many other parts of the Kashmir Valley. But then, it is not that only village ponds have been affected. "Lakes like Dal, Wular and Anchar are shrinking day by day due to encroachments, let alone the village ponds," Nadeem Parry, a geography student at Kashmir University, said. Limited land and the drastic population growth - particularly in the last few decades - are the main reasons for drastic change in ecology of villages like Avend.

 Why has the government remained silent?

 "These ponds fall into the category of barren land which is reserved for rearing of livestock in the villages. Since it is a matter to do with the village, there is nothing the government can do about it," an official confessed. However, other villagers said the government is looking on as a meek spectator and had failed to preserve these natural endowments. The water of these ponds were used for crop cultivation in summer when there was a water shortage. The village boys would bathe in the ponds and learn swimming for hours. During winter, when water in the pipes would freeze for weeks, people used the pond water for domestic purposes, while cattle also drank the same water.

 "We had preserved these small ponds in our village to meet the demand of water in times of crisis. Alas, this is no more available to us," said Ghulam Rasool, an elderly resident of the village. The encroachment of the ponds has also resulted in the disappearance of ducks, which were once abundant in the area. Today, only one pond, called 'Astan Sar', remains in existence. It is considered pious because it is in close proximity to a shrine in the village. As usual, there is a counter view to this. "The people don't use its water as it stinks," said Hilal Ahmad, a teacher. The villagers have preserved 'Astan Sar' like an archeological site by constructing a wall and iron mesh around it.

 "This is the only surviving pond, but it will die very soon as there is no fresh water source connected to this pond. There is also no arrangement for draining out the stale water," said Abdul Gani, an employee of the Public Health Engineering Department.

 "These ponds saved the villages many times in the past from drought and fires. Its waters were utilized for agriculture and domestic purposes. But alas! Our ponds became the victims of greedy people," said Abdul Hamid Mir, a businessman of the village.

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Kashmir Valley plunged into darkness

Dal Lake other water bodies freeze

After electricity, water crisis in Valley

Winter woes do not seem to end for the people of Kashmir. No sooner did people get slight relief from long powers cuts, people are faced with tremendous water shortage in almost all parts of the valley.The minus day and night temperatures without any sunshine have given way to persistent freezing. As the day temperatures fail to rise, no melting of snow or water bodies is taking place. The sub zero day temperatures have frozen taps and water supply pipes. This has resulted in serious water shortage in most parts of the valley. There is no water supply to homes or even offices.

“The water supply pipes to our homes are completely jammed and frozen.  We have no water supply inside the house,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, from Raj Bagh.  “I filled the tank by carrying water in buckets from lawn tap.”

The problem is grave in upper town where water supply is facilitated commonly by using water pumps.“Even though we receive water supply to the main reservoir but could not pump water into the house as water pump has jammed due to freezing temperatures,” said Naseema Begum. The main water supply pipes in some areas have also wedged.

Following snowfall across Kashmir on Saturday, the valley loomed under unrelenting minus temperatures. The maximum temperature recorded at 11.30 a.m today was minus 1.4  Celsius while minimum went down to minus 3.8 degree. There has been no relief from cold for the past six days. The ongoing chillai kalaan will be over after 18 days, on January 31.

“I have never lived a more severe winter. We not only have to deal with freezing cold but problems of water and electricity as well,” adds Naseema.

An official at the MeT department said that there is no abnormality in the weather this year. “Kashmir has experienced much lower temperatures than what we are facing. The reason why we are facing more problems is because there is no sunshine,” official revealed.

In view of the forecast of more snowfall on January 15 and 16, people are  fearful of more horrifying conditions. Valleyites are keeping a stock of essential commodities including food and milk to avoid inconveniences.

Water war in Baramulla

As many as 12 people, including a police officer were injured in the violent clashes triggered by water row between the villagers of two different areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

According to reports, intermittent clashes break out between the villagers of two different areas of Rafiabad since early this week over the sharing of water from nallah Hamal. The nallah irrigates thousands of kanals of agriculture land in over a dozen villages including Yarbug, Chergund, Manjampora, Sean, Sadnaar, Batpora, Sheikhpora, Behkirpora, Fidarpora, Chatloora, Dangiwacha, Watergam, Rawoocha, Waripora, Sangrampora and Channam.

The clashes, reports said, broke out after the villagers of an area demanded more share of water from the nallah to irrigate over 4000 kanals of their agriculture land. However, the other group, who have over 40,000 kanals of agriculture land refused to entertain their request. The refusal led to tension between the two parties before it led to fierce clashes.

On Thursday, reports said, the villagers again clashed over the issue. A police party led by Station House Officer (SHO) Dangiwacha, Murtaza Ahmad Qureshi, who tried to diffuse the clash between the rival groups, was also caught up in the clashes. Murtaza and at least 19 villagers, reports said, have been injured in the clashes so far.

“We have deployed CRPF troopers and police in the areas to maintain law and order in view of the clashes over the water sharing. The area is comparatively peaceful now,” SHO Dangiwacha said.

Heavy rains in Jammu

The winter capital of the state today witnessed heavy rainfall during morning hours. While it cooled down temperatures, bringing down mercury from 31.6 degrees Celsius to 29.6 degrees, it played havoc with life in the winter capital as it resulted in severe water logging at many crossings and markets of Jammu city. The roof of a house also collapsed at Rajpura Mangotrian area but no one was injured in the accident.

Heavy rains today morning lashed entire Jammu province which also resulted into water logging at many places due to choking of drains and accumulation of filth and garbage. Due to unclean drains, water logging took place at Kunjwani Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Krishna Nagar, road adjoining RRL labouratory, Bhagwati Nagar which also resulted in traffic jams at many crossing points.

Near Asia Chowk there was around 1 to 2 feet of water logging which halted the traffic flow for few minutes. The Dogra Chowk was looking like a mini-pool and water logging was around 2 feet deep. Some two wheelers also met with accidents due to deep water logging.

JMC authorities pressed their men and machinery into action to de-log rain water which had accumulated on roads especially at Dogra Chowk by using Suction machines, JCB’s and labourers but all in vain.  After few hours when rain fall stopped, water logging areas became clear.

The drains of Pacca Danga and Kali Janni area were choked with garbage, consequently the overflowing drains water entered into few shops. Shopkeepers of the area while criticising the JMC authorities said that it was only due to carelessness of JMC authorities that the rain water had entered into their shops.

The roof of a house also collapsed in Rajpura Mangotrian area due to heavy rains. No physical loss has been reported in the roof collapse but some household items were buried under the debris of roof.

Metereological department authorities said that due to strong monsoon currents Jammu city today recorded 19.4 mm of rainfall in between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Banihal recorded 0.2 mm, Batote 1.0 mm, Katra recorded 23.4 mm of rainfall. While Srinagar, Kupwara and Kajikund recorded no rainfall while as Pahalgam recorded 1.0 mm, Kokernag recorded 0.2 mm of rainfall in between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Authorities further added that there are possibilities of rains and thundershowers as also one or two spells of heavy rainfall in Jammu region in the next 24 hours.

“Metereological department had issued warnings of heavy rainfall over Amarnath cave shrine at around 10 AM due to which the pilgrimage remained suspended for few hours. But after the clouds shattered the pilgrimage was restored.” Met officials added. 

Conservation work of Wullar Lake from next month

The conservation work of Asia’s biggest Wullar Lake would be started soon, said Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad during his visit to the site identified for taking up conservation work of the Lake.

He said the Centre has already approved project of Rs 120 crore for its development, adding till the Government constitutes Wullar Development Authority, the job has been assigned to a team of officers under the supervision of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to initiate the implementation of the project from next month after completion of all codal formalities.

During his tour to Bandipora, the Minister visited Gujjar basti’s Argham and Malangam, to assess their problems and developmental needs. He issued on-the-spot instructions to the concerned officers for mitigating genuine problems.

The Minister while addressing public meetings at Argham and Malangam said that all-round development of Gujjar and Pahari people is also top agenda of the Government, adding that several steps have been taken to fulfill the aspirations and developmental needs of the community.

Mian Altaf said in democratic set up every citizen has right to seek justice in development process and called upon Gujjar community to come forward and struggle for the share which the Government under various sectors kept for their development.

Responding to the demands of locals, the Minister announced that two timber sale depots would be opened in Gujjar belt Argham. He instructed concerned engineers to make result oriented projects for upgradation of basic amenities in the area. He said that two mobile schools for Gujjar and Bakarwals would also be opened in Malangam belt, besides setting up of Handicrafts Centres, improvement in road connectivity, drinking water, power supply, education and health care would be taken up with concerned authorities. He directed district administration to ensure speedy development of Gujjar community under district, State and Centrally sponsored plans on priority so that these people would feel succor.

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.