Jammu’s Water Woes: Why Are Taps Still Dry in City and Villages?
Water’s a big issue in Jammu today, and folks are fed up. From urban neighborhoods like Gandhi Nagar to rural hamlets in Akhnoor, taps are running dry or trickling mud, leaving families scrambling. In Ustad Mohalla, residents hit the streets this week, chanting for action after weeks of shortages. “We’re carrying buckets for miles, and no one cares,” said Rani Devi, a mother of three from a rural outpost. Social media’s full of complaints—posts on X show long queues at tankers, with one user, @JammuVoice, calling it “a daily battle.”
The problem’s been brewing since August’s floods clogged water lines with silt and damaged pumps. The Jal Shakti Department promised fixes, but urban areas get priority, with 70% of their ₹50 crore budget spent on city pipes. Rural spots like Reasi and Rajouri, where 60% of Jammu’s 1.5 million live, are stuck with broken handpumps or tanker delays. A September 17 report from a local NGO said 40,000 households lack steady supply, forcing women and kids to trek to streams. Health risks are climbing—dirty water’s linked to 2,000 stomach illness cases this month, per clinic data.
Officials blame the floods, saying debris is tough to clear, but locals point to mismanagement. “Funds come, but where’s the work?” asked shopkeeper Anil Sharma in Jammu city, where half-filled tankers arrive late. Corruption rumors swirl—some say water contracts favor connected firms. The department’s chief, Rajesh Thakur, told a local outlet they’re “working round the clock,” but with IMD forecasting light rain, the crisis could worsen. Rural panchayats are stepping up, fixing pumps themselves, but they need support. Urban folks are pooling cash for private tankers, costing ₹500 a pop. This isn’t just inconvenience—it’s a failure that’s hitting the poor hardest. Share your water woes with #JammuDryTaps to push for change.