J&K Budget Session 2026: Minister Javed Rana Addresses Water Supply Restoration and JJM Projects in Gurez
JAMMU, APRIL 01, 2026: During the ongoing Budget Session 2026, Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, assured the Legislative Assembly that the Wanpora, Khandiyal, and Badwan areas of the Gurez Constituency are receiving adequate drinking water through existing infrastructure.
Responding to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, the Minister clarified that recent temporary disruptions in the water supply were primarily caused by heavy rainfall and snowfall.
These weather conditions led to an increase in source water turbidity beyond permissible limits—a natural occurrence that necessitated a brief suspension of regular distribution to ensure public health safety.
To mitigate the inconvenience faced by residents during this period, the Minister highlighted that the Jal Shakti Department has proactively deployed water tankers to the affected zones to maintain a steady flow of safe drinking water. He emphasized that technical teams are on standby to restore the full piped supply as soon as weather conditions stabilize and turbidity levels recede.
The administration remains committed to maintaining hygiene standards, ensuring that the temporary reliance on tankers serves as an effective bridge until the natural sources clear.
Furthermore, Minister Rana detailed long-term infrastructure plans, revealing that a Slow Sand Filtration Plant (SSFP) has already been proposed for Wanpora and Badwan under the flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
While the project is currently on hold due to a localized land dispute, the Minister informed the House that the department is actively engaging with stakeholders to resolve the legal bottlenecks. He reaffirmed the government’s priority to fast-track the execution and completion of this filtration plant to provide a permanent, high-quality water solution for the high-altitude constituency.