MARGAO
Residents of Pedda in Varca on Monday hit the road to protest over drinking water scarcity, forcing the PWD officials to fan out to find whether illegal tapping by hotels is the cause behind the shortage.
The residents complained that they are getting water only in trickles, disrupting their daily chores. They pointed their fingers of suspicion at the hotel industry for illegal tapping of the domestic water line.
Taking cognizance of the complaints of water tapping, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said that PWD officials were called to check the tampering of valves to divert the water for commercial use.
A resident Valentina Braganza said the residents were forced to protest since they have been receiving water in trickles for the last couple of months.
“The water comes only in trickles. We receive tap water without pressure. The pressure is good during the night,” she said, demanding an inspection of the valves to clear doubts over the illegal tapping.
An elderly woman Alcina Fernandes said the residents have been facing water shortages since the time a starred hotel came up in their backyard. “We are forced to store water in buckets or go to the well to fetch water to meet our requirements,” she added.
Varca sarpanch Salesiana Fernandes informed that the entire Pedda ward has been suffering from water scarcity. “I too am not receiving drinking water. I was left with no option but to lead the residents to the MLA,” she said, adding the PWD should find out about illegal water tapping, if any.
The Benaulim MLA later told the media that the officials are inspecting the valves to find out illegal tapping of the domestic line. “The line is being inspected to find out illegal tapping, if any,” he said.
Venzy, however, pointed out that he has inherited the water woes, saying most of the pipelines were laid during the tenure of former Sports Minister Monte Cruz. “I have inherited the problem, but I am not running away from the issues. With the PWD, I have prepared estimates for replacement of the ageing lines and to lay parallel lines,” he said, adding that it will take at least a year to change the old lines.
