the goan I network
PORVORIM
Private water tankers have been doing brisk business as water shortage has hit various parts of Reis Magos, Pilerne and Nerul villages in the past few days.
Left with no option, the affected residents have had to hire private water tankers at a hefty cost to avail of water supply.
According to Sakina Mulla of Reis Magos, people in the village have been receiving water only once every three days.
“Since we cannot afford to hire water tankers, we have to seek water from nearby wells. Since these wells are close to sea, the well water is slightly saline but we have no option but to use this water,” said Mulla.
Reis Magos Panch Shailesh Parulekar said the PWD has been releasing water on alternate days and that too, for barely 1-2 hours.
“Since Reis Magos is at the tail end, its residents do not receive enough water supply. The population of Reis Magos has increased immensely in recent years but the existing water pipeline is still old and needs to be replaced with a bigger pipeline to cater to the growing population,” said Parulekar.
Industries at the Pilerne Industrial Estate and Pilerne Fire Station are also facing water problems on account of the water shortage.
Some industrial units have to avail of as many as 20 water tankers each day, while fire tenders at the Pilerne Fire Station have to be sent to Mapusa to fill water.
In Nerul, the situation is equally severe and residents do no get adequate water supply.
“Some people have installed pumps and draw water from the main water pipeline and fill their water sumps. The panchayat has made several complaints with the PWD, but there has been no action,” said a panch while speaking on condition of anonymity.
Incidentally, the water problem has been aggravated by frequent disruption in power supply, due to load shedding on account of heavy demand for power supply.
“Due to heavy use of power by the public, the electricity department has resorted to load shedding these days and this load shedding is prevalent in Pilerne, Saligao, Reis Magos, Nerul and nearby areas,” said junior electrical engineer Sandip Salgaonkar.
“The feeders are shut down alternatively for at least 30 minutes five-six times in a day. The situation will improve once the monsoon begins,” said Bandodkar.
