THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Several residents from Orulem, Mestawada, Driver Hill and Mangor areas in Vasco have complained about acute water shortage and have threatened to agitate before the PWD if the issue is not resolved soon.
A group of residents along with outgoing councillors Rochana Borker and Saifullah Khan on Monday marched to the PWD office in Baina to express their concerns, but officers were not present in the PWD office to address their issues as the engineers were out on some field jobs.
This further upset the residents who later threatened to agitate before the PWD office in large numbers if the issue is not resolved soon.
Speaking to reporters, outgoing councillor Rochana Borker said despite payment of water bills, there was an issue of water supply for many years.
"Every time residents make a noise, water supply is restored but it is cut again after a few days. There is a well in the area, but senior citizens cannot draw water from the well. Besides, people get scared to use the same rope to draw water from the well due to fears over Covid. The PWD must resolve the issue and find a permanent solution," said Borker.
Outgoing Mangor councillor Saifullah Khan said though there was water shortage, the PWD had increased the bill charges and despite water shortage, residents had received exorbitant bills.
"Water charges have increased and there is no water supply as well. While people are paying bills, the PWD does not supply proper water. Every time they say there the pipeline is blocked or that, the pipe has to be replaced. But in reality, the PVC pipes laid by PWD are not up to the mark and they break time and again. If the PWD does not resolve the issue, people will agitate on the road," warned Khan.
Social worker Girish Borker said there was no officer in PWD to address the issue and appealed to the PWD to restore the issue immediately.
“The PWD must carry out an inspection and even the pumps put for water supply are very old and if required should be replaced," said Borker.
Resident Roshan Chari complained that water supply timings were irregular, forcing residents to stay awake all night to store water.
Another resident, Medha Chari, threatened women from Mangor, Orulem, Driver Hill and Mestawada would be forced to protest and confront PWD officials if the water shortage issue was not resolved immediately.
