THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Stating that shortage of water supply has affected the lives of people in the coastal villages of Calangute and Candolim, the locals have demanded 24x7 water supply to all the areas in Calangute constituency.
“Although the local population and the number of hotels/guest houses have increased over the years, water storage capacity and water distribution system has remained unchanged,” said Premanand Diukar in a memorandum to the PWD minister.
He said in some areas water was released every alternate day just for one or two hours in the early morning inconveniencing the residents of the village.
The letter requested the PWD minister to initiate appropriate action to streamline uninterrupted water supply to Calangute.
The memorandum also said that all public wells in the village have been contaminated and therefore using of well water has become unsafe.
Several locals of the coastal village under the banner of Calangute Constituency Forum marched and submitted a memorandum to the Calangute panchayat and the PWD office, Porvorim.
They also met PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar at the secretariat in Porvorim and submitted a memorandum to him.
“The PWD minister listened to our grievances and assured to look into the matter to find a way out,” Divkar said.
The villagers said that government emphasized on putting basic infra in place but in reality the opposite was happening.
“Water is the need of hour. If we do not get our basic needs such as water, power and proper roads then what is the use of speaking about development,” said Damiao Teles, a local from Candolim.
According to former panch member Clotilda Braganza, the issue of water was raised at the last gram sabha around three months back but the problem has still not been resolved.
“In Naikavaddo, almost 50,000 litres of water is being wasted due to leakage. Nobody is bothered to get the pipes repaired. I have been slapped with a bill of Rs 27,000 but received no water for the period,” said Anthony Fernandes.
