Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, October 15, 2025:
The water crisis in Kishtwar town and surrounding areas continues to deepen amid reports of large-scale unauthorized water connections from the Naigadh gravity source. According to local sources, over 100 illegal connections have been tapped directly from the Naigadh line, drastically reducing water flow to the main filtration plant and leaving vast areas parched.
Localities such as Dasail, Gwari, Zewar, Upper Panditgaam, and Trisar are reported to have drawn water directly from the gravity source, bypassing official supply channels. Additionally, a reverse 8-inch pipeline was allegedly installed from the Naigadh line at the Trisar filtration plant towards Panditgaam—apparently by local employees without any official sanction. This unauthorized extraction has worsened scarcity for residents of Kishtwar town, Poochal, Hatta, Mata, Hidyal, Nagni, and several other areas.
Concerns escalated after the main gate valve at the new filtration plant was reportedly found fully open last month, further depleting supply to the town. Locals allege the valve was deliberately manipulated on a routine basis by a daily-rated worker of the Jal Shakti Department posted at Trisar, who is also reportedly employed as a physical education teacher at a local school, raising questions of accountability and conflict of interest.
Adding to the woes of residents, continued leakages in pipelines across Kishtwar town and adjoining areas are reportedly draining huge quantities of water, further aggravating the suffering of the common people and reducing the already limited supply available to households.
Amid rising public anger, Hon’ble MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma directed the Executive Engineer of Jal Shakti to immediately plug the reverse line to restore equitable water distribution—but it appears their directives have largely gone unheeded.
Last month, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, issued a formal order constituting a dedicated team to track and disconnect all unauthorized water connections in Kishtwar town and the Mandal area. The team, comprising Assistant Executive Engineers, Junior Engineers, Supervisors, Linemen, and supported by the Executive Magistrate and police personnel, was tasked to begin the disconnection drive immediately.
However, despite these clear directions from the DC, the situation on the ground remains unchanged, with illegal connections still active and water scarcity continuing unabated across Kishtwar. Locals have expressed frustration, recalling that earlier drives were allegedly conducted only for “photo and video shoots,” with unauthorized connections later restored through departmental collusion. Citizens have demanded surprise inspections by police and CID teams even weeks after disconnections to prevent reconnections.
The water shortage crisis has now emerged as a critical and unresolved issue in Kishtwar, with increasing demands for strict departmental accountability and punitive action against erring employees.
