PWD misses second deadline for better water supply to Porvorim

The first assurance was missed by the PWD when Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had assured to release 5 MLD of water to residents of Porvorim by March end, during a function to lay the foundation stone for the Lekha Bhavan in Porvorim.

Later during the inauguration of Science and Community Park, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar assured that 5 MLD of treated water would be released by May 10, but the PWD missed this deadline as well.

The Water Resources Department has done its job by storing sufficient water in the water tank but since the water treatment plant is yet to be operational, there are fears that the water could evaporate soon.

Going by the slow pace of work at the water treatment plant, it is unlikely that PWD will be able to release the 5 MLD of water before the monsoon.

During a visit to the site of the water treatment plant, PWD sources mentioned that they have already installed two pressure filters required to treat 5 MLD of raw water.

“An order for pumps had been placed with a company in Pune, but the pumps have not arrived so far. On account of the Covid situation in Pune, there has been a delay in despatching the pumps.”

The sources added that ongoing work suffered a further setback due to lockdown declared by the Penha de Franca panchayat and the 14-day statewide curfew imposed by State government.

“As a result, it has become difficult to get construction material for the water treatment plant. Since the State government has imposed ban on the sale of oxygen cylinders to industries, we do not get oxygen cylinders for welding purposes. There is scarcity of labour too.”

“The PWD is trying its best to complete the first phase so that the 5 MLD of treated water can be released to people of Porvorim at the earliest. But the prevailing circumstances prevents the early completion of work,” PWD source added.