Residents block road in Batmaloo over water shortage

Srinagar, Aug 18: Residents of Lachmanpora area in Batmaloo, Srinagar, on Monday staged a protest against the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department over the acute shortage of drinking water. The protest led to the blockade of the road and the temporary suspension of traffic movement in the locality.

Locals told Kashmir News Trust that despite repeated complaints and representations, their pleas have gone unheard. “We have been suffering for weeks without proper water supply. The authorities are unmoved by our hardships,” one of the protesters said.

The residents alleged that they are forced to fetch water from distant places, causing immense inconvenience to families, particularly women and children.

Traffic remained disrupted for some time as demonstrators occupied the road to press for their demands. The protesters urged higher authorities to intervene and ensure immediate restoration of regular water supply in the area. [KNT]