VASCO
A major leak in a Public Works Department (PWD) drinking water pipeline at Velsao has continued for the past three months, drawing strong criticism from villagers.
Social worker Roquezinho D’Souza on Thursday gave the department an eight-day ultimatum to stop the wastage of treated drinking water.
Speaking to the media, D’Souza claimed that lakhs of litres of potable water have been flowing into nearby drains every day because the damaged pipeline has not been repaired, despite repeated appeals to the authorities.
He warned that if the leak is not repaired within the deadline, he will write to the Chief Secretary seeking intervention and action against the officials responsible for the delay.
D’Souza said it was ironic that people are being urged to conserve water while government departments have failed to prevent the loss of treated drinking water. He alleged that repair work has been delayed because one department is waiting for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from another, allowing the leak to continue.
“It is unfortunate that while the government appeals to citizens to conserve every drop of drinking water, lakhs of litres of treated water continue to be wasted because of bureaucratic delays. Instead of passing files from one office to another, the departments concerned should coordinate and resolve the issue as a priority,” D’Souza said.
He urged the authorities to treat the matter as an emergency by issuing the required permissions without further delay and carrying out immediate repairs to the damaged pipeline.
“The government cannot afford to remain a silent spectator when such a precious resource is being wasted. The leak must be repaired at the earliest, and accountability should be fixed on those responsible for allowing this avoidable wastage to continue for months,” he added.
