the goan I network
MAPUSA
GSIDC Vice Chairman and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza on Wednesday admitted several areas in Mapusa were experiencing scarcity of water but attributed the problem to multiple hurdles, one of which was leakages in pipeline.
He also said work on the new bus-stand got initially stalled due to the Zilla Panchayat elections and now due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“There are multiple hurdles, one of which is leakages, why we are getting less water. But the other problem is PWD has only one team for maintenance which is working round the clock to attend to pipeline bursts not only in Mapusa but surrounding constituencies as well,” D’Souza said.
For the last several days, there were complaints of irregular water supply in parts of Duler, Gaunsavaddo and Khorlim in Mapusa.
The Mapusa MLA informed that the PWD was supposed to install new pumps at the Assonora water treatment plant.
“We have identified major leakages which is one of the main reasons for water shortage. The local councillor identified three leakages in Ganeshpuri area. We are trying to identify such leakages in other areas and fix them,” he said.
D’Souza said the new bus-stand project was at tendering stage, but got delayed initially because of the ZP polls and then due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“My focus was to put basic infrastructure in place at the new bus-stand site so that the area does not flood in the monsoon. Now, the clarity of how to move forward with regards to the project will be known only after May 3 when the lockdown is lifted,” he said.
The Mapusa MLA said pending road works in the city will be taken up as soon as the PWD resolves its labour and other issues.
He expressed satisfaction at the ongoing desilting work being carried out in the market and other areas in the city.
“The lockdown has given us a fantastic opportunity to do the desilting work. We are getting the gutters cleaned in every ward. I think we will not have any difficulty in rains this season,” he said.
