the goan I network
PANAJI
On day eight of the water crisis post the Independence Day pipeline disaster at Curti and more than 24 hours after one of the two major pipelines (900 mm dia) was restored, most residents of the capital city and other areas in Tiswadi got tap water supply on Thursday.
However the wait for those in areas serviced by the second 750 mm dia pipeline, whose repairs were complete only on Thursday evening, is expected to extend for another couple of days more.
Meanwhile in Panaji, many households did heave a sigh of relief with water trickling down from their taps for the first time in eight days, even if the supply was far below the levels it was before the crisis came upon them.
Yet there were homes in some parts of the capital city which went without even a drop of water for yet another day.
Principal Chief Engineer of PWD, Uttam Parsekar told The Goan that despite repairs of the 900 mm pipeline, and subsequent release of water,
it was natural that some percentage of people would not get water. He urged them to contact the PWD for help.
“We will help them out with tankers, till normalcy in water supply resumes,” he said.
Meanwhile, the second 750 mm dia pipeline which got dislocated and broke after the retaining wall supporting them collapsed reportedly in a landslide, has been repaired but was yet to be tested as of Thursday night, Parsekar said.
The PWD had to give the pipeline sufficient time to set.
“Water will be released into this pipeline on Friday morning. It will take some hours to reach the reservoirs and then be supplied further to people’s homes,” Parsekar said.
Areas that the 750 mm pipeline supplies water to are Bhoma, Adkona, Marcel, Cumbarjua, St Estevam and Ribandar.
People in these areas will have to wait a while longer, Parsekar said, adding that the PWD is arranging for water supply by tankers to the people of these areas.
