BANDIPORA: The Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib today chaired a meeting to review the proposed shifting of the Shilvat Pump Station and associated Intake/Electro-Mechanical Equipment, and to discuss measures for ensuring uninterrupted water supply to the affected population.
During the meeting, it was informed that the shifting of the Shilvat Pump Station will affect two Water Supply Schemes, namely Shilvat Water Supply Scheme (WSS) and Nowgam Water Supply Scheme (WSS).
As a result, four villages in Sumbal Sub-Division, comprising Shilvat, Nowgam, Gundi-Nowgam and Rakhi Sultanpora, are expected to remain affected during the shifting process.
It was informed that the entire shifting process is expected to take approximately one week, and the affected public has been advised to remain prepared for the temporary disruption during this period.
The meeting held detailed deliberations on the technical, logistical and administrative aspects of the proposed shifting, besides reviewing arrangements for ensuring availability of drinking water in the affected areas.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to undertake necessary preparatory measures and ensure effective inter-departmental coordination for smooth execution of the shifting work.
Emphasizing the importance of keeping the affected population informed, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned authorities to conduct Gram Sabhas in all the affected villages to create mass awareness regarding the shifting work, its expected impact and the temporary arrangements being put in place. She directed that all such Gram Sabhas be completed before September 8, 2026.
It was further decided that the affected villages are likely to experience disruption in water supply for a period of seven days during the shifting process. To mitigate the impact and ensure availability of potable water, the Jal Shakti Department will make alternate means of water supply in the affected areas during the period.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for advance planning and close coordination among all concerned departments to ensure that the shifting work is completed within the stipulated timeframe while minimizing inconvenience to the public.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora; SDM Sumbal, Murtaza Ahmad Sheikh; Project Director NHAI; Head of Project NHPC; Executive Engineers of MID Shadipora, Civil/Mechanical Sopore/Srinagar, PHE Sopore and PDD Sumbal; SDPO Sumbal and other concerned officers, While Chief Engineer, PHE Kashmir; Superintending Engineers of PHE/Hydraulic Sopore/Bandipora and PHE Mechanical North; Tehsildar Sumbal attended the meeting virtually.
