Magam, Nov 22: Inhabitants of Agrikalan Magam in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Saturday staged a protest against the acute drinking water shortage in the area, blocking the Narbal–Gulmarg road for several hours. The protest saw participation from women, elderly citizens and school-going children who expressed deep frustration over what they termed a prolonged and unbearable crisis.
Locals told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the scarcity has persisted for several days, forcing families to rely on unsafe sources. They alleged that multiple children in the locality have developed water-borne ailments due to consumption of contaminated water. Residents said daily routines have collapsed and the situation has become a serious health concern.
Protesters demanded immediate intervention from the administration and the Jal Shakti Department, urging authorities to ensure a consistent and clean water supply. They said repeated shortages over the past months reflect negligence and that the issue needs a permanent solution rather than temporary fixes.
The concerned officials of the Jal Shakti Department reached the spot and assured protesters that efforts were underway to restore the water supply at the earliest. He said the problem would be addressed in a timely manner.
