Cortalim MLA Anton Vas interacts with PWD officials during a joint meet in the presence of former Cortalim sarpanch Senia Pereira, former Cortalim Quelosssim sarpanch Hilario Figueiredo and others. Captured by : Vikram Nayak
VASCO
Vas had invited elected members including panch members of Cortalim, Quelossim, Velsao, Cansaulim and other panchayats along with residents to put forth the issue with the PWD officials, in a bid to resolve the situation.
The meeting lasted for over two hours and while PWD officials explained in detail the reasons for the water supply issue, Vas directed them to have another joint inspection of all valves and pipelines in the next 15 days. He also asked the PWD to produce details of water supplied in the Cortalim area, which he would personally check from the readings of the valve meters during the next inspection.
Later speaking to reporters, Vas said residents had alleged that the water quota for Cortalim was being diverted to adjoining areas of Agassaim, Nagoa and Lotoulim.
"I suspect that water is also being supplied to Verna industries and Sancoale industrial estate from Cortalim and we cannot assess the exact details without having on-site inspection, wherein we will cross-check the meter reading of the valves.”
“I also want to cross-check the agreement of water supply existing for our neighbourhood areas and industrial estates, so that we can get a clear picture. I suspect that our water is being diverted and this is why I will have point-to-point and valve-to-valve inspection. I want to study the entire issue in detail before we can find a permanent solution,” said Vas.
"PWD officials are talking about various issues including the one at source in Selalulim and we have said that we are even willing meet officials at Selalulim to know the root cause of the issue,” he added.
The MLA said he also wanted to ascertain the exact water quantity that is being allotted for Vasco, Mormugao, Dabolim and Cortalim.
“This is because, we are getting repeated complaints from residents of Sancoale, Quelossim, Veslao, Cortalim and Cansaulim as well," said Vas.
‘Issue due to sediments in water’
VASCO: PWD Assistant Engineer Naresh Painguinkar has claimed that an issue of manganese sediments in the water had caused the issue of water supply.
"There is also an issue of power supply at Selaulim which affected the distribution of water. The issues of water is only temporary. We were getting around 85 MLD water but with the high manganese content and power issues, we are getting only 25-30 MLD water. Hence, we have begun water supply on alternate days,” said Painguinkar.
“While houses on the low-level get water, those on hilltops face issues. We have also kept tankers on standby to meet the demand of the people. Once the manganese issue is over and we get the 85 MLD water, there will be no issues," Painguinkar added.
