VASCO
Cortalim Panch Raymond Desa and a group of locals on Wednesday opened the underground PWD water supply valve at the Ferry Point, thereby automatically stopping water supply to Agassaim.
The aggrieved residents said the valve was a joint valve catering to water needs of Cortalim and Agassaim and every time the valve was closed, water would be diverted automatically to Agassaim side.
While residents said they had to take extreme steps after facing acute water shortage for over three months, panch member Raymond Desa said Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha had failed to cater to the basic necessities of the people.
They also alleged that water allotted to Cortalim was being diverted to Agassaim, causing hardships to people of Cortalim.
Speaking to reporters, De Sa said people residing along the entire stretch from Ferry Point to Voddant and other areas like Thana had been suffering from water scarcity for a very long time.
“Every time people agitate, this valve is opened and later closed again. There was proper water supply with full pressure three months ago, but now people get water for a very short time and that too, without pressure.”
“People living on an elevated level don't get water supply at all and every time people come to me, I get in touch with the MLA’s office. People also have met Alina Saldanha and put forth their grievances and all we hear is that there is an issue with the dam," said De Sa.
“Why can't she take care of the two basic necessities of power and water supply? Today, people have been forced to open the PWD water pipeline valve and we dare anyone to come and close this valve. We will lock this valve if anyone tries to close it," warned De Sa.
"This water is going to St Andre constituency and we have also asked our MLA why our water is being diverted to another constituency while our people are suffering and the pipelines were built for us.”
“We had opposed this pipeline but we were assured that we would get sufficient water and only excess water would be diverted to Agassaim," said the panch.
