Budgam, Nov 12 (HS): Residents of Budgam town, barely five km from Srinagar International Airport, have expressed joy over the town winning the Swachh City Award in the Union Territory (UT) category, but said basic problems, particularly the lack of clean drinking water, still need to be fixed.

Locals said that despite being so close to Srinagar, Budgam had long been a neglected town, and thanked the district administration for the hard work that earned it the award.

Mohammad Yaseen, a shopkeeper, told Hindusthan Samachar that the award was a matter of pride for the people of the town. He said, however, that much remained to be done before Budgam could become a model town. “People here do not have access to clean drinking water, and they are very worried,” he said.

He said residents had repeatedly asked the administration to supply them water from Sukhnag, but it was beyond understanding that the water was being supplied to Srinagar while those with a real right to it were deprived of it.

Iqbal Hussain, another resident, called the award a matter of joy. He said he hoped the personal interest of the local administration, particularly the District Magistrate, would lead to further improvement in the town and ensure that people get basic facilities.

Budgam Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore, who received the award on behalf of the town, said he was “humbled and honoured” to receive the Swachh City Award from the President of India on behalf of the people of Budgam town. “A proud moment for J&K and Budgam!” he said.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the award at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. It was received by Kishore and Oruja Mohi-ud-Din, Chief Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Budgam.

Officials said the recognition acknowledges the town’s efforts towards improved sanitation, door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, solid waste management and public participation. They credited the achievement to the Municipal Council Budgam, working under the guidance of the Housing and Urban Development Department, the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies Kashmir and the district administration, with the active support of the town’s residents.

The administration dedicated the award to sanitation workers, municipal officials, field functionaries and citizens, and said it was committed to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and making Budgam cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat