MAPUSA
As Anjuna grapples with a severe water crisis, shocking allegations have emerged from local residents regarding the contamination and neglect of the village’s water supply system.
During an ongoing protest over the year-long water shortage, a resident claimed that rats, plastic, and even slippers were found inside broken water pipelines when repair work was carried out in the village.
The local, who was part of the protest at the Public Works Department (PWD) office in Mapusa, explained that the issue arose when the electricity department was conducting underground cabling work in Anjuna.
According to him, the excavation work damaged several water pipelines, but no PWD officials were present to monitor or supervise the project.
This negligence, he said, resulted in severe damage to the water infrastructure.
“When the work to repair the water pipelines finally began, we removed rats, plastic and even slippers from inside the pipes,” the local alleged, sparking outrage among the villagers.
This revelation further fueled the anger of the residents who had gathered in large numbers to confront PWD engineers at the Mapusa office.
The villagers expressed their frustration over the failure of the authorities to address the water crisis, which has persisted for nearly a year.
Many criticised the engineers for neglecting their responsibilities and leaving the community to suffer without clean, regular water supply.
PWD agrees on Anjuna water supply issues
MAPUSA: In response to mounting protests by Anjuna residents over a year-long water shortage, officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) have admitted to disruptions in water supply but cited infrastructure issues beyond their control.
According to PWD Assistant Engineer Randhir Astekar, the water supply to the coastal village has been interrupted a couple of times due to breakdowns at the Assonora water treatment plant and ruptures in the main pipelines.
Addressing the concerns of the villagers, Astekar explained that Anjuna’s position at the tail-end of the distribution system often results in restricted water supply, particularly during times of high demand or technical failures elsewhere in the network.
“We understand the problem the people are facing, and we are doing our best to restore normal water supply. However, there are issues, such as breakdowns at the treatment plant or pipeline ruptures that are beyond our control,” said Astekar.
The assistant engineer also acknowledged that the ongoing underground power cabling work in the area had damaged water pipelines, which may have allowed residue to enter the system.
However, he dismissed claims made by locals that rats had been found inside the pipelines, calling it improbable.
“It’s a direct line. Rats...I don’t think that is possible,” Astekar stated, responding to allegations made by residents during the protest.
In an effort to assure the community, Astekar revealed that a new pipeline bringing raw water to Anjuna had already been installed, and once a new water treatment plant is completed, the supply issues should improve significantly.
