Bilal Habib
Pampore, , February 18: A wave of joy swept across the tribal villages of Bathina, Batdalaw, and Bajnari as their decades-long struggle for drinking water finally came to an end with the completion of a ₹9.7 crore lift water supply scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
For over 30 years, the absence of a reliable water source had forced villagers—especially young girls—to spend five to six hours daily fetching water from distant areas, severely impacting education and overall well-being. Many families had even migrated due to the severe water crisis.
Residents extended their gratitude to the PHE Sub-Division Pampore, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, the J&K UT Government, and the Central Government for ensuring clean drinking water reaches their homes.
Talking to Kashmir Convener, Mohammad Iqbal Bajjad, a resident of Gujjar Basti Bajnadi, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the authorities for making the Bajnadi-Bathan-Batdalaw water supply scheme operational. He recalled the immense hardships faced by villagers, particularly school-going girls who had to walk 7 kilometers daily to fetch water.
“With no springs or natural water sources, we were entirely dependent on tanker services, which often couldn’t reach us due to bad road conditions. Now, with this scheme in place, our daughters can focus on education instead of carrying water all day,” he said.
Another resident, Riyaz Ahmad, expressed deep gratitude to the J&K Government and the PHE Department for addressing their 30-year water crisis. He recounted the severe health implications on children and the community’s past reliance on contaminated sources near cement factories.
“This is a historic day for us. Two of these three villages belong to the ST (Scheduled Tribe) community, and they have suffered for decades. Now, with clean water at our doorsteps, our quality of life will significantly improve,” he said.
Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Sub Division Pampore, Er. Mudasir Mushtaq Untoo, told Kashmir Convener that the Bajnadi, Bathan, and Batdalaw water supply scheme is a lift scheme that has been completed in four stages.
He explained that the source of the scheme is a tube well, and the total cost of the project is rupees 9.7 crore. It has been designed for a population of approximately 3,875 people.
Under this scheme a total of 203 households in Bajnadi are being connected, 361 households in Batdalaw are being covered and 214 households in Bathan are being provided with water supply.
He further stated that, so far, the following civil works have been completed. Three service reservoirs have been constructed, three sump tanks have been built and two pump houses have been established. Approximately 27 kilometers of pipeline distribution has been completed.
Today, the testing of the system was successfully conducted, and for the first time, the villages of Bathan, Bajnadi, and Batdalaw are receiving water under this scheme, which has been implemented as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
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