Doodh Ganga Filtration Plant Supplies Muddy Water to Lakhs; Officials Admit Renovation Needed
Srinagar, Mar 28, KNT: The Doodh Ganga filtration plant, which supplies drinking water to a vast population in parts of Budgam and Srinagar, is allegedly distributing muddy and hazardous water, triggering concern among inhabitants and prompting inspection by senior officials.
A population of nearly 7 to 8 lakh people depends on the Doodh Ganga water supply scheme. Water is lifted at the Kralpora Doodh Ganga plant and supplied to residential areas including Chanapora, Gulshan Nagar, Natipora, Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh, Wanbal, Rangreth, Rawalpora, Pirbagh, Hyderpora, Barzulla, Parraypora up to Tengpora bridge and several areas of Budgam district.
Inhabitants from several localities alleged that muddy and filthy water has been supplied over the past few days. They claimed that although officials had reportedly been directed to engage labourers for cleaning the plant, the required work was not carried out properly.
Assistant Executive Engineer Muhammad Ashraf said the desliting process was underway but they were pressured by people to restore water supply. When questioned about releasing water despite it being muddy, he did not provide a direct response.
It was noted that the concerned AEE had been transferred from the plant to Bijbehara but was still overseeing operations at the Doodh Ganga facility.
Inhabitants further alleged that faecal matter and solid and liquid waste from Branwar to Kralpora via Surasyar, Dadompora, Zoohama, Sogam, Chadoora and Wathoora enter the Doodh Ganga stream.
The filtration plant at Kralpora was found to be in poor condition, with reports of animal carcasses floating in the nallah and stray cattle roaming within the premises. Dung was reportedly seen accumulated in corridors of the plant.
Officials confirmed that Chief Engineer PHE Abdul Wahid inspected the site and a team from the Health Department collected water samples for testing.
Chief Engineer Abdul Wahid acknowledged that the plant requires renovation and said work on upgrading the facility would commence in the coming months.
The first unit of the Doodh Ganga water treatment plant at Kralpora Chadoora was commissioned in 1972, with three additional units added in subsequent years. [KNT]
