Dansal, Apr 29 (KNS): MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana on Wednesday led a road blockade in protest against the worsening water crisis across the constituency, accusing the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department of prolonged negligence and failure.
Rana said the situation was the result of “administrative apathy and systemic failure,” which has severely disrupted water supply and caused hardship to thousands of residents.
During her visit to Badsoo Panchayat, she staged a protest and claimed that more than 13 PHE stations and dug wells in Nagrota have remained non-functional for months, affecting water supply in several areas.
She cited examples of dug wells at Hurnali and Kah Pohta, which have been defunct since August after being damaged in floods, with no significant restoration work carried out so far.
Expressing concern over the use of funds, Rana said that despite a budget allocation of ?3,500 crore for the PHE sector in 2026-27 and additional central assistance of around ?3,000 crore under SASCI, the administration has failed to deliver results.
“There is a lack of planning, monitoring, and accountability. Funds have not been effectively utilised,” she said.
The MLA also criticised the Mechanical Wing of the department, alleging poor repair and maintenance of pump sets and motors.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelShe said in several cases, repaired motors get damaged again within days, pointing to substandard work and lack of technical oversight.
Rana added that repeated repairs at PHE stations in Galali and Gharota over the past six days have failed, with motors, pumps, and transformers developing faults soon after installation.
She further said that water tanker services, which were providing temporary relief, have been stopped without any alternative arrangements, worsening the crisis.
“Stopping tanker services at a time when infrastructure is already under stress shows insensitivity towards the people, especially during peak summer,” she said.
Rana urged the department to restore all defunct water supply systems on a war footing and warned that continued inaction could lead to public protests.
She also called on the UT administration to intervene, fix responsibility, and ensure time-bound restoration of water supply.
“Access to safe drinking water is a basic right. The people of Nagrota cannot be ignored any longer,” she said, adding that the crisis is man-made and a result of continuous inaction by the department.(KNS)