THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The Aam Aadmi Party along with residents of Chapora on Monday gheroed the PWD (water) Assistant Engineer Krupalli Chandran for failing to supply regular pipeline water to the locals for the last several months.
The residents of Chapora have not been getting pipeline water supply for more than six months.
Several letters have been written to the department requesting the engineers to take appropriate steps to ensure proper water supply.
“Water problem is an all Goa problem. The government takes pride in making fancy announcements like ‘har ghar nal’, but the reality is something else. In many places, taps have been fixed but no water is running in those taps,” said Rahul Mhambre, Convenor of AAP.
The AAP convenor along with the residents of Chapora was addressing the media outside the PWD office in Mapusa.
Continuing, Mhambre said water meant for domestic consumption was being diverted to hotels and other high-rise construction activities.
“We have asked the assistant engineer to give us a timeline to change the water pipeline. We also do not water from tube-wells,” Mhambre said.
A resident of Chapora, Umesh Kolvalkar, informed that for the last one-and-half month, the locals visited the PWD office at least 10 times with the issue of irregular supply but the AE has neither taken any action nor surveyed the area.
“Time and again, the government has been making promises to supply water 24x7. For the last 30 years, I have been hearing this promise. Forget 24x7 supply, we do not get proper supply even on alternate days. Goa is blessed with abundant rain and yet we have to suffer for drinking water,” Kolvalkar said.
He further disclosed that hoteliers are supplied water in one inch diameter pipeline while domestic consumers are supplied water in just half inch diameter pipeline.
AAP member Pujan Malvankar also spoke.
PWD (water) AE, Krupalli Chandran informed that he will conduct a survey of the area and the first step will be to disconnect any illegal water connection.
“Domestic consumers must get first preference for water supply. We will conduct an inspection of the area and disconnect all illegal connections. Even connections to hotels, if illegal, will be disconnected,” Chandran said.
