Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Sep 21 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has detailed a series of measures to address drinking water scarcity in S.D. Colony Batamaloo, AloochiBagh and adjoining areas, including augmentation of existing infrastructure and construction of new water treatment and storage facilities.
The details were given in written response to a question, tabled by Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed Pardesi, MLA Lal Chowk, as per news agency JKNS, regarding scarcity of drinking water in the affected areas.
The Government said two new Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), having capacities of 5.50 MGD at Alusteng and 5.00 MGD at Rangil, are presently under execution and are expected to be completed and commissioned by the end of the current year.
On commissioning, the two WTPs are expected to substantially augment the availability of treated water in Srinagar and improve the water supply position in Batamaloo and adjoining areas.
The Government further said a new 2.50 MGD WTP at Mehjoor Nagar has been proposed for further augmentation of water supply. Its Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been prepared and submitted for approval.
Further action regarding sanctioning of the project, provision of requisite funds and commencement of execution will be taken after approval of the DPR and availability of requisite funding.
As an immediate measure, the existing 5 HP motor at the Sump-cum-Pump House at Rehca Chowk, Batamaloo, has been replaced with two 10 HP motors to augment water supply to 13 lanes of S.D. Colony, Batamaloo, directly fed by the scheme.
The Government also said a 70,000-gallon capacity RCC Overhead Tank (OHT) at Danderkha, Batamaloo, is being constructed under AMRUT 2.0. The work is under execution and targeted for completion by the end of 2026-27.
In addition, construction of another 70,000-gallon capacity OHT at Khadi Mill, AloochiBagh, including complete electro-mechanical works and operation and maintenance, has been taken up under AMRUT 2.0 at an estimated cost of ₹213 lakh.
The work is presently in progress and is targeted for completion by the end of 2026-27. Upon commissioning, the OHT is expected to improve water supply to approximately 477 households in AloochiBagh and adjoining areas.
The Government said the pumping augmentation and additional storage infrastructure have been taken up to address water supply deficiencies and improve the adequacy, reliability and service levels of potable drinking water in the affected areas. (JKNS)
