Bahawalnagar: Residents Deprived of Clean Drinking Water as Water Filtration Plants Remain Non-Functional

Bahawalnagar: Despite the installation of several water filtration plants across Bahawalnagar over the years, a large number of these facilities have become non-functional, leaving residents deprived of access to clean drinking water. Citizens and civil society representatives have urged the authorities to take immediate action and restore the abandoned filtration plants.

Speaking in an interview with a private television channel, human rights activist Mian Mushtaq Ahmed Joiya stated that while elected representatives had established water filtration plants in different localities, most of these projects have failed to serve their intended purpose due to poor maintenance and operational neglect.

According to him, the filtration plant in Jodhiana Basti reportedly never became fully operational even for a single day after installation. Similarly, filtration plants in Faisal Colony and Regra Basti have remained closed for a long period.

He further pointed out that the filtration plant located in Lawyers Colony on Chishtian Road provides little to no water, while the plant on Jail Road is completely non-functional. The Model Town filtration plant is also said to be in poor condition due to inadequate maintenance and neglect.

Residents argue that substantial public funds were spent on these projects, yet the absence of effective oversight and maintenance has rendered many of them useless. They maintain that the shortage of safe drinking water has become even more critical during the ongoing summer season, creating significant hardships for local communities.

Civil society representatives have called upon the Deputy Commissioner Bahawalnagar to conduct an immediate survey of all non-functional filtration plants and ensure their restoration so that citizens can have access to safe and clean drinking water.

Citizens have also urged elected public representatives to take practical steps to address the issue, emphasizing that development projects should not be limited to inauguration ceremonies but should be monitored continuously to ensure their effective operation and sustainability.

Local residents stressed that access to clean drinking water is a basic human right and that the relevant authorities must fulfill their responsibility by ensuring the provision of this essential public service.