PONDA
Residents of Ganjem-Usgao who reside on the banks of Mhadei River have been depending on the rainwater these days as their taps have dried up for the past three days.
The angry villagers on Saturday threatened to stop ongoing work on the 25 MLD water treatment plant on Monday if water is not supplied to them by Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, the aggrieved locals said they have been facing acute water shortage every year during the rainy season.
Water is supplied to residents of Ganjem by installing a pump on the river Mhadei. As the river water becomes turbid during monsoons, the pump malfunctions on a regular basis.
They claimed that there are three bore wells in the village, but alleged that the PWD has not taken the initiative to install pumps and supply water to the villagers.
They are upset that taps have dried up since the last three days and they have to depend on rain water.
Water of the newly constructed water treatment plant is expected to be supplied to Ganjem and Priol areas.
“The PWD engineers have assured that villagers of Ganjem will get water for 24 hours after the completion of the 25 MLD water treatment plant. But the PWD cannot supply water to villagers for even 2 hours at present,” said local panch member Narendra Gaonkar.
“Residents have lost their patience and in case water supply is not restored by Sunday, residents have threatened to stop work of the water treatment plant on Monday,” said Gaonkar.
A resident, Seema Gaonkar stated that due to water shortage during monsoons, they have been forced to store rainwater in tanks.
“Work on the new water treatment plant has been going on for a long time now. Till the completion of the project, the PWD should try to supply water to the villagers for at least for 2 hours daily for the time being,” said Gaonkar.
