MAPUSA
In spite of the State receiving copious rain, several parts of Mapusa and other areas in Bardez went without pipeline water for three days on the trot causing a lot of distress among the residents.
People living in Khorlim, Duler, Shetya-vaddo, Peddem, Ansabhat, Morod etc did not receive a drop of water from Sunday onwards.
Ironically, the town received no water supply on the day when PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral hosted the much tom-tommed ‘Janata Darbar’ in Mapusa.
On Monday, after listening to grievances of locals not getting proper supply of drinking water, Cabral had directed officials to immediately take proactive action to ensure that villagers get at least four hours water supply.
Flustered locals gave vent to their anger for being short-changed by the Public Works Department (PWD).
“We could take it in our stride if this happened during the summer when most water sources dry out. But for the last more than a week we have been receiving a good amount of rain and yet we get no water supply. We need to hold someone accountable for this, if not, all these Janata Darbars will have no meaning for the common man,” said Reshma Naik, a resident of Peddem, Mapusa.
“Time and again, fingers are pointed to the Assonora water treatment plant which has become very old. It needs to be totally overhauled. We cannot rely on old machinery in this age for a basic need such as water. The government must act swiftly and take some serious measures,” said Adv Satish Rao, a resident of Ansabhatt.
Stating that the issue was very serious, former chairperson Ryan Braganza said the authorities should look into the earlier proposal of having a dedicated pipeline and building two reservoirs in Mapusa.
“The officials do not seem to care for the concerns of the people. It looks like they get into a working mode if only a minister gives them a direction,” Braganza said.
While residents went without PWD water supply, tanker owners had a field day as people had to rely on them for water.
According to PWD officials, the problem was at the Assonora water treatment plant which has been facing constant power cuts.
Sources also informed that there was an issue of turbidity which hampered the process of filtration at the water treatment plant.
“When there is heavy rain, a lot of muck flows from upstream which increases the turbidity of water. We are helpless because the entire filtration process gets affected,” an official informed.
While the PWD officials in the frontline, especially the JEs, faced abuses from the public, senior PWD officials tried to play down the problem.
“I don’t think there is any water problem in Mapusa. We are getting regular supply from the Assonora treatment plant which is supplied to consumers,” said Shambu Malvanakar, Executive Engineer PWD (water department).
