Srinagar, April 13: Lakes and Waterways Development Authority known in common parlance as LAWDA has failed to construct a proper drainage system for the rehabilitated people at Panchkarwari Colony at Hazratbal area in Srinagar outskirts.
In absence of 200 meters long drainage system, the filthy water seeps into houses and local grave yard much to the discomfiture of the local people, who day in day out hit to roads while their protest demonstrations bear no fruits.
The locals blame Vice Chairman LAWDA and Executive Engineer Lake Division 1st for the mess. They say LAWDA authorities even stopped Srinagar Municipal Corporation from constructing this much needed drainage system.
A delegation from this Colony told news agency Kashmir News Trust that they are yearning for a proper drainage system from past 20 years but till date LAWDA failed to fulfil their demand.
“When Executive Engineer Lake Division 1st Feroz Ahmed categorically refused to construct this 200 meters long drain, citing shortage of funds as reason, we approached Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation for help. The then SMC Commissioner understood our problem and promised to construct the said drain. He sought ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from LAWDA. After buying time LAWDA finally gave NOC to SMC with a condition that it should not connect this drain with their Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). This technicality barred SMC from constructing this drain,” Altaf Ahmed who was part of the delegation said.
Sewage Treatment is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, primarily from household sewage.
“LAWDA rehabilitated us and the same LAWDA is not allowing us to use the benefits of STP. Where shall we go,” the delegation said.
The locals said that LAWDA is misleading SMC and other authorities for the reasons known to them.
“We blame both the present VC LAWDA Tufail Matoo and Executive Engineer Lake Division 1st Feroz Ahmed for our sufferings. We request Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to get a technical man that will head the LAWDA,” they said.
Efforts to get in touch with VC LAWDA and Executive Engineer Lake Division 1st for their comments didn’t materialize. (KNT)
