the goan I network
MAPUSA
Unable to bear with the acute water problem, locals of Ramnagar, Colvale on Wednesday urged the PWD to resolve the water supply problem within four days or else threatened to march to the AE’s office in Mapusa.
“We have been facing huge problem due to poor supply of water for almost a year now. The PWD should resolve our problem within four days or else we will come with a morcha before the Mapusa PWD office,” warned Sheetal Chodankar, panch member of Colvale, while addressing the media.
The panch member said that she along with some villagers had met the PWD minister last year and after his intervention the department officials had even begun work at the overhead tank in the village, but the problem continued to persist.
“We get water on alternate days and that too, for around two hours. The other surrounding villages in Tivim constituency get water for almost 24 hours a day. We want the department to provide us supply for at least 12 hours a day,” Satish Chodankar said.
Another local, Vrunda Kerkar, informed that since the sumps were not getting full they were forced to procure water tankers after every four days at a cost of Rs 700.
“Why should we bear these expenses? At all other places, people were getting proper water supply. We should get at least four hours of supply every day,” Kerkar said.
Locals also complained against the linemen of the area including the supervisor who failed to keep a proper check on his staff.
On the direction of the PWD minister, the Executive Engineer, V M Chavan had inspected the overhead water tank at Ramnagar last year and accordingly electrical pumps were installed near the site to pump water from the sump to the overhead tamk.
“The panchayat also took a resolution to expedite three phase connection in the area but for reasons best known to the PWD the water issue was never resolved,” said a local.
The PWD (water) Assistant Engineer, Subhash Belgoankar informed that the pipeline from the main line to the sump was very narrow and therefore the sump was taking time to fill up and as a result the pumping to overhead tank was also getting delayed.
He said the department had decided to change the pipeline to a larger diameter to take care of the problem once for all.
“The file to change the pipeline was processed but it took almost three years to get a sanction from the government. Now, it has been sanctioned and work order has also been issued. Work on the pipeline will begin from December onwards,” Belgaonkar assured.
THE SORRY STATE
A panch member says that she along with some villagers had met the PWD minister last year and after his intervention, the department officials had even begun work at the overhead tank in the village, but the problem continues to persist
A local informed that since the sumps were not getting full they were forced to procure water tankers after every four days at a cost of Rs 700
Locals also complained against the linemen of the area including the supervisor who failed to keep a proper check on his staff
