Technical snag in the 33-KV High Tension (HT) cable disrupted electricity and drinking water supply in major parts of Jammu today.
Residents faced a lot of inconvenience due to the strike by thousands of daily wagers, who had been demanding regularisation in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department.
Due to heavy rainfall, technical team of the Power Development Department (PDD) had a tough time to repair the fault and special electricity cables connecting pumping stations.
At present 27 Million Gallon Daily (MGD) of water is pumped out daily by 224 heavy lift pumps to meet the requirement of the city.
“Most of our pumping stations remained shut for the whole day. It will take time to restore supply as our staff is overstretched due to strike. Our permanent staff will maintain services for now. Effort is being made to ensure that residents do not suffer,” said Rajiv Gandotra, Chief Engineer, PHE Department.
“It is the common man who suffers due to snags and strikes. The government is not worried about the welfare of people, but more interested in doing petty politics over different issues,” said Sushil Sharma, a local businessman.
Sainik Colony, Bathindi, Sunjwan, Narwal, Greater Kailash, Roop Nagar, Janipur, Naseeb Nagar, Ploura, Durga Nagar, Muthi, Ban Talab, New Plots, Indira Colony and Buta Nagar areas face acute water shortage during summer.
Meanwhile, daily wagers continued their strike demanding regularisation of workers who are working in the department since 1994.
Officials said Minister for PHE Sukhnandan Choudhary had again called the representatives of daily wagers for a meeting on Wednesday.
“The long pending issues need approval of the Cabinet and we have assured the daily wagers that it will be taken up soon. They should end the strike as people are facing problem,” said an official of in PHE Department.
