Taps run dry again as PWD struggles to fix pipeline issues
Water flows in a trickle at the Betalbatim village panchayat office building on Wednesday.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Unprecedented water shortage has hit Salcete taluka, especially the coastal belt, with residents reeling under severe scarcity over the last couple of days.
With water in the taps coming only in a trickle, even PWD officials agreed that many places have been facing a water shortage in the last couple of days.
Social activists and citizens opposing mega housing projects cautioned that the water scarcity should come as an eye-opener for the government, which they said has been permitting mega housing projects across the State.
A PWD water supply official sympathised with the plight of the water consumers in Salcete, more so those inhabiting the coastal belt. He said that the problem started when the Selaulim water pipeline ruptured last week, adding that even before water supply could be restored, the line developed another issue, restricting water supply to the people.
“Such a situation wherein the water pipeline gave problems twice within a week is unprecedented in nature. As you know, it takes time for the restoration of water supply from Selaulim to Margao and adjoining villages upon completion of the repair work,” the official added.
Villages of Nuvem, Seraulim, Majorda, Utorda, besides Colva and others along the coastal belt, have been facing water scarcity in the last few days.
Betalbatim Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes said people had been complaining of water shortage in the last few days. Similar sentiments were expressed by Deputy Sarpanch Ilma Dias, saying people are complaining of water coming only in a trickle.
Colva-based social activist Judith Almeida has slammed the government for the current water scenario in the State. “We had settled in Goa way back in 2003, but we had never experienced severe water scarcity. This started around four months ago, but now the shortage has become severe. There is no water in the taps, and whatever water is received by the people comes only in a trickle,” she said.
She added: “Just imagine a situation when there’s a delay in the monsoons and this goes from bad to worse. This should come as an eye-opener for the government.”
The social activist also questioned how the government plans to meet the drinking water needs of Goans while also supplying water to hotels, guest houses, and mega housing projects.
Urging Goans to assert their rights as villages and towns face increasing strain, she said: “Even if hotels and industries claim they use water tankers to meet their needs, they are still depleting groundwater — all to serve corporate interests.”
