MAPUSA
It has been over a month since a ruptured pipeline has been leaking water onto the main road in Mapusa, causing frustration among locals and commuters.
Despite the leak being located on a busy district road with heavy vehicular traffic, the Public Works Department (PWD) (Water) appears oblivious to the problem, let alone interested in repairing it.
Ironically, just last week, the PWD (Roads) laid a new hotmix carpet on the road, only for water to seep through the freshly repaired surface, worsening the situation.
The ongoing leakage not only causes inconvenience to road users, particularly two-wheeler riders, but also leads to significant water wastage “ an issue that has drawn sharp criticism from residents.
“We can understand if the PWD struggles to locate a leakage on some internal road, but this is happening on a main road where it’s impossible to miss. How can they turn a blind eye to such a glaring issue?” questioned Ganesh Naik, a resident of Duler, Mapusa, who frequently commutes on the affected road.
Another local, Satish Gad, a motorcycle pilot, expressed his frustration with the inefficiency of the department’s area linemen, who are tasked with monitoring and addressing such faults.
“These officials fail to act, allowing precious water to go to waste. The leakage creates slippery conditions on the road, making it dangerous for two-wheeler riders. It’s sheer negligence,” he said.
The lack of urgency displayed by the PWD in addressing the problem has raised questions about their efficiency and accountability.
Residents argue that it should not take over a month to detect and repair a pipeline rupture on such a prominent road. “Where are the linemen who are supposed to monitor these pipelines? What’s the use of a department that fails to act on such an obvious issue? This negligence not only inconveniences the public but also showcases a lack of responsibility on the part of PWD,” remarked another irate local.
With each passing day, the leakage continues to exacerbate road conditions and waste a vital resource.
The public is demanding immediate action from the PWD to locate and repair the damaged pipeline and prevent such recurring lapses in the future.
For now, however, the department’s inaction stands as a testament to its inefficiency and indifference to public inconvenience.
