MAPUSA
The main water pipeline was damaged during road-widening work at the national highway in Karaswada-Mapusa on Tuesday, leading to a water shortage in several parts of Bardez.
According to reports, the incident took place near the Bandekar petrol pump at about 10 am, when a JCB of the company involved in the road-widening work damaged the pipeline while digging the area. Huge amounts of water began to gush out from the ruptured pipeline.
The pipeline supplies water from the Assonora water plant to different parts of the Bardez.
On receiving news of the incident, water department officials rushed to the site and began repair work.
As a result, the PWD had to stop the water supply from the pipeline while repair work is in progress.
"The repair work is in progress and will be completed by late at night. As a result, Bardez will receive restricted water supply till Wednesday,” said PWD Executive Engineer Shambhu Malvankar.
Incidentally, the company involved in the road-widening work has been accused of damaging the water pipeline on several occasions.
According to sources, about 20 such incidents have been recorded between Colvale and Guirim in the last two years alone, causing huge amounts of water to be wasted and inconvenience to the people in several parts of Pernem and Bardez talukas, who have been regularly facing water shortage.
