Water borne diseases affect Hajin



Filtration plant would be completed in 3 weeks: DC
Mir TariqBandipora, Feb 04:The residents of Hajin, Sonawari and its adjoining villages are suffering from water borne diseases as authorities are not supplying them hygienic and clean drinking water. They have demanded setting up of filtration plant in the area.
The PHE authorities are not supplying filtrated water to the people of Hajin, Sonawari as no filtration plant exists in the area. Located at bank of river Jehlum, people of Hajin and its adjoining villages Prang, Shahgund, Mudwan, Saderkoot, Asham, Ajas, Markundal are compelled to drink unhygienic and filthy water of Jehlum. Due to use of unhygienic water, people are suffering from water borne diseases.“The government has never thought to establish a filtration plant on River Jehlum so that the population of Hajin are supplied clean and hygienic drinking water,” said Muhammad Asadullah. He said, “The authorities have never been serious to supply us clean water and as a result we are compelled to use dirty and filthy water of Jehlum. There is no other option for us.” He and other villagers complained that people in large numbers in Hajin and its adjoining villages suffer from water borne diseases. “Even some people have lost their lives,” they claimed.A prominent citizen of Hajin, Dr. Mehrajudin said “We informed the district administration several times about the problems confronted by us, but they never responded to our pleas”.He said that although government has started work on setting up a filtration plant on bank of River Jehlum but from past two years only four pillars have been erected. “The authorities are not showing urgency to get the plant completed at the earliest,” added Mehraj-ud-Din.Accusing district administration of “regional prejudice”, people alleged that Hajin block is being neglected by the officers. “No development projects are carried out in the block”, they added.“No developmental work has been taken up in Hajin from last one year,” said Muhammad RamzanHe said that Deputy Commissioner Bandipora visited the block several times and assures them that the filtration plant would be constructed soon, but he has failed to keep his promises.When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Sheikh Mushtaq told risingkashmir.com “The work on the construction of filtration plant is going on. It will be completed within 2-3 months”. He said, “Three more filtration plants would be established at various places on the bank of Jehlum in Hajin block to ensure that hygienic drinking water is supplied to people”.