Gurez, Nov 10: Residents of Khandyal village in Gurez have sought the relocation of six water supply pipelines passing through their privately owned land, alleging that their underground placement is obstructing the construction of residential houses and restricting the use of their property.
The pipelines, located near the Panchayat Ghar and a local water channel (kul), have triggered a dispute between the affected landowners and the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department.
The residents alleged that the pipelines pass through their *milkiyat* land and were laid without their consent. They said the issue came to their notice when they planned to construct houses on the plots.
According to the landowners, the pipes are buried only a few inches below the surface, making foundation work difficult and limiting the use of the land.
The affected families said they did not want the existing water supply network to be disrupted but had asked the department to shift the pipelines towards the edge of their land so that construction could proceed without affecting water supply to other consumers.
Responding to the issue, Executive Engineer PHE Gurez Gulzar Ahmad said the pipelines had been laid in 1980 and questioned why the landowners had not raised objections at the time.
He said residents intending to undertake construction could apply online for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which would be issued by the department.
Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gurez Dr Mukhtiyar Ahmad said he would take up the matter with the Executive Engineer and explore the possibility of resolving the issue.
The landowners have urged the district administration and the PHE Department to examine the matter and work out a solution that safeguards private property rights while ensuring uninterrupted water supply to the area. (KNS)
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