JNM Journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
Jammu city is currently gripped by scorching heat and a severe heatwave. Temperatures are continuously breaking new records, making it difficult for common citizens to step out of their homes. In this situation—where the administration is issuing advisories regarding the heatwave—the water coolers installed across the city to quench the thirst of passersby have, ironically, run dry themselves. More than two dozen water coolers installed in various parts of the city have been lying defunct for months, leading to widespread resentment among the public against the administration.
Under the Jammu Smart City Project and the Municipal Corporation’s initiatives, hundreds of water coolers were installed in the city’s bustling markets, bus stands, parks, and public spaces to provide people with cold water. However, the current reality is that in many locations, these coolers are neither receiving a water supply nor is their cooling system functioning. Some coolers remain completely shut down, while others have been reduced to mere decorative fixtures.
The water cooler located outside the Shri Amarnath Yatri Bhawan in Bhagwati Nagar has been out of order for nearly a year. With the Amarnath Yatra about to commence—an event that draws thousands of devotees to this site annually—the administration has, despite this fact, failed to take any concrete steps to repair the unit. Local residents state that despite filing numerous complaints, the situation remains unchanged.
Former Corporator Suchcha Singh revealed that Municipal Corporation officials were apprised of this issue on multiple occasions. Even the local MLA issued directives regarding the matter, yet no action has been taken to date. Meanwhile, former Corporator Amit Gupta noted that water coolers at key locations—such as the Bus Stand, Warehouse area, and Hari Singh Park—have been non-functional for months, while officials remain content with merely offering assurances.
The water cooler situated near Salathia Park in Trikuta Nagar, Sector-1, has also been out of operation for a considerable period. Local resident Jyoti Devi lamented that amidst this scorching heat, people are struggling desperately for even a single drop of water, yet the administration continues to turn a blind eye to this grave issue. Over 400 water coolers have been installed across the city; however, a significant number of these units currently lie in a state of disrepair. While the Municipal Corporation claims to have initiated repair work, the situation on the ground remains a cause for concern.
Local shopkeepers, laborers, street vendors, and commuters report that the administrative machinery is proving to be a complete failure precisely when they are most in need of cold water. Many underprivileged individuals are compelled to purchase bottled water from the market, placing an additional financial burden on their already strained budgets.
Residents point out that, on one hand, the government is advising the public to exercise caution regarding the ongoing heatwave, yet on the other, even basic amenities are not being made available. The public has demanded that all malfunctioning water coolers be repaired with immediate effect to provide relief to the people amidst this scorching heat.
Although the Jammu Municipal Corporation is undertaking relief measures—such as sprinkling water on the roads—the public maintains that these efforts are insufficient. According to the Corporation’s Executive Engineer (XEN), S.P. Singh, the majority of the water coolers have already been repaired, and the remaining repair work is expected to be completed shortly.
It now remains to be seen how quickly the administration can resolve this critical issue facing the public, as the water crisis has become a major source of distress for the common people amidst the escalating heat.
