16 Water Supply Schemes approved for Khawas block under JJM: Javed Rana

Jammu Feb 19 :- The villages of Khawas Block, including Kanthol and Marutha in Budhal Constituency, are being covered under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to ensure provision of safe and adequate drinking water.

Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana informed this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Javid Iqbal in the Legislative Assembly today. He stated that 16 Water Supply Schemes (WSSs) have been approved under JJM for the area.

He said that four schemes have been completed, while the remaining are at various stages of execution.

The Minister informed that despite ongoing works, the region has experienced prolonged drought-like conditions in recent years, coupled with scanty rainfall, leading to depletion of certain water sources during peak summer months. He informed that the borewell source of WSS Budhal has also been adversely affected, impacting sustainability and resulting in acute shortages in some habitations during the lean summer period. However, he said that as an interim measure, drinking water requirements are being met through water tanker services.

To address the long-term source sustainability, three Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) namely WSS Badhal-B, WSS Kotecharwal, and WSS Kotranka have been prepared and are under consideration. These projects will augment the existing schemes and extend coverage to left-out and higher-altitude habitations, stated the Minister.