MAPUSA
Several parts of Mapusa and other areas in Bardez faced water supply disruptions on Friday evening, just ahead of the Dussehra festival, following a breakdown at the Assonora Water Treatment Plant.
Residents in multiple areas reported receiving little to no water, leaving taps dry and locals frustrated.
An engineer from the Public Works Department (PWD) water division confirmed that an electrical fault at the plant had caused the disruption.
The breakdown affected the normal water supply to Mapusa and its surrounding regions.
The engineer further explained that they were unable to provide a definitive timeline for the restoration of services.
"Only once the fault is rectified and water is pumped into the overhead tanks can we restore supply," he said, adding that work was ongoing to resolve the issue.
The disruption has led to widespread frustration among locals, especially given the timing during the festive period.
Reshma Naik, a resident of Peddem, Mapusa, expressed her dissatisfaction, highlighting a recent statement by a minister who claimed Goa would be self-sufficient in water by 2047.
"If our infrastructure continues to break down so frequently, we will never achieve self-sufficiency," she said.
Another resident, Milan Diukar from Duler, Mapusa, criticised the government for allowing such disruptions during important festivals.
"It's extremely frustrating when essential services like water are disrupted during our festivals. The government should carry out regular audits of key infrastructure to prevent such issues," she said.
PWD Chief Engineer Santosh Mhapne reassured the public that efforts to fix the issue were underway, and the water supply was expected to resume soon.
