Water crisis: Danyore’s residents left high and dry

Locals demand water pipeline to be extended from Gilgit’s main reservoir.


Shabbir Mir July 16, 2012

GILGIT:


Some localities of Danyore, an important town on the outskirts of Gilgit city, are in the grip of a water crisis.


With its population expanding fast during the past few years, the town’s water supply system is unable to meet the growing needs of the people.

Moreover, the town’s lone water supply channel has been polluted due to unplanned constructions and unchecked waste disposal.

“The problem is getting worse with each passing day as the population increases,” said Shamsuddin, a resident of the town’s China Yadgar locality. He said the town has become “sort of an economic hub” for the residents of adjacent areas such as Jalalabad, Bargrote and Haramosh, adding that people from these areas are “coming here in flocks to look for jobs”.

Another resident, Iqrar Shah, said that China Yadgar locality has been worst affected by the water crisis. He said that as the area is located on the farthest end of the town, and the pipeline passes through other localities such as Sharoote and Baig Market, it rarely receives water.

Shah said that the pipeline was installed around two decades back which is unable to cater to the fast expanding town’s population. To resolve the crisis, he proposed that a wider pipeline should be laid down from Gilgit’s main water reservoir to the town.

“Due to shortage of water, residents often end up having brawls and make the otherwise peaceful atmosphere of the town tense,” said Shah.

Moreover, the town’s residents, especially those living in China Yadgar locality, complained that they are prone to diseases as owing to the water shortage they are being forced to drink unhygienic water.

Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Executive Engineer Hidayat Ali concurred that the existing water supply scheme is unable to meet the needs of the residents of Danyore.

He said the authority has surveyed some parts of the town and after a detailed assessment it will submit a PC-1 to the government to resolve the issue.

He added that funds worth Rs50 million have already been earmarked to lay new pipeline and establish water purification plants in the town.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2012.

COMMENTS (2)

Arif | 11 years ago | Reply

well danyore is a city now no more a village .,,its spreading day by day while the government authorities have closed their eyes . The elected members even dont know what are the needs of public and how to meet them. Actually there is no water shortage but the mismanagement is there n this is the problem of whole gilgit city .

Arif | 11 years ago | Reply

well danyore is a city now no more a village .,,its spreading day by day while the government authorities have closed their eyes . The elected members even dont knw wot are the needs of public and how to meet them. Actually there is no water shortage but the mismanagement is there n this is the problem of whole gilgit city .

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