MAPUSA
Residents of Zorwaddo, Vagator and Chapora in the Anjuna-Caisua panchayat jurisdiction faced water supply disruptions after a key water pipeline was damaged during excavation work for underground power lines in Kumbharwada, Anjuna.
The incident occurred when workers of the underground cabling contractor, using heavy machinery, accidentally punctured an old water pipeline supplying water to the affected areas.
The damage caused significant water leakage, leading to an immediate interruption in supply.
Responding to the situation, officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) rushed to the site on Wednesday and initiated temporary repairs to restore water supply.
Recognizing the urgency of the matter, especially during the busy tourist season, PWD officials worked to ensure that the disruption did not cause prolonged inconvenience to residents and businesses in the area.
Local panchayat member Dinesh Patil visited the site to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
Patil explained, “The damaged pipeline is an old one, and it was punctured during excavation work using a JCB machine. This resulted in significant water leakage and loss of supply to several areas.”
He added that temporary repair work was undertaken promptly to ensure the restoration of water to Vagator and the surrounding areas.
The incident has raised concerns about the oversight and coordination between contractors and local authorities during infrastructure projects.
The age and fragility of the damaged pipeline have also highlighted the need for proactive measures to upgrade and maintain essential utilities in rapidly growing areas like Anjuna, which experiences a surge in demand during the tourist season.
Local residents have called for better planning and communication between contractors and utility departments to prevent such incidents in the future. They also urged the authorities to consider replacing outdated pipelines to avoid similar disruptions.
With the tourist season in full swing, uninterrupted water supply is critical for local businesses, especially those catering to visitors in popular areas like Vagator and Chapora.
While temporary repairs have restored supply for now, authorities may need to take further action to ensure long-term stability and reliability.
