Srinagar, May 01 (KINS): The Jal Shakti (PHE) Department has approved restoration of the long-defunct dug well at Hurlani (Kapotha) in Dansal following protests over the ongoing drinking water crisis in Nagrota constituency.
According to a statement, the dug well had remained non-functional since August 2025 after being damaged in floods, leading to severe shortage of drinking water in the area and causing hardship to local residents.
The statement said MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana had recently led a strong protest over the water crisis and raised the issue of defunct water supply systems in the constituency, particularly highlighting the situation in the affected villages.
Following the intervention and public outcry, the department has now accorded administrative approval and sanctioned funds for restoration of the dug well, with directions to complete the repair work on priority, it said.
Welcoming the decision, Devyani Rana said such urgent action should not require public protests. She stated that despite substantial budgetary allocations to the PHE department and flood restoration assistance from the Centre, the impact was not visible on the ground in Jammu division, which was badly affected by floods.
She alleged that the prevailing water crisis was the result of prolonged negligence, lack of planning and failure in timely maintenance by the department.
The MLA further said that while restoration of the Hurlani dug well was a positive development, several other PHE stations and dug wells in Nagrota constituency continue to remain defunct and need immediate attention.
She urged the department to ensure quality repairs, proper technical supervision and accountability to prevent recurrence of such problems.
Reaffirming her commitment to the people, Rana said she would continue to raise public issues and press for restoration of essential services in a time-bound manner.(KINS)
