The coastal village of Utorda is grappling with a dire water shortage, leaving its 120 households and approximately 450 residents in distress. For the past few months, the irregular supply of water has become a pressing issue, which led the villagers to take to the streets in protest on Wednesday, demanding a consistent and reliable water supply to meet their basic needs.
The affected areas, particularly Francisco Costa ward and Loyola Ward in Ward No. IX of Utorda, have borne the brunt of this crisis. Sharlet Fernandes, a panch member, stated that despite petitions to both the Chief Minister and the Public Works Department (PWD), the situation remains unchanged. "We have submitted a petition but unfortunately, no action has been taken, we have written to the Sarpanch and the PWD and other officials to look into this. The PWD officials said they will look into the matter, and told that there was a project in pipeline, which is now complete but still locals do not get water, in fact there are free tanks being distributed," Fernandes said.
Fernandes stated that there is a parallel pipeline running across the road through which water is available for 24 hours. "Officials claim it's a GI pipeline, but the reality is starkly different. Residents endure nights of limited sleep, waking up at odd hours to secure water for their daily needs," Fernandes said.
Maria Martins, a senior citizen residing in Utorda, shared her daily struggle, emphasising the inconvenience of waking up at odd hours to fetch water. "My husband and I, both senior citizens, endure the hardship of erratic water supply. It's disheartening to see our pleas fall on deaf ears," Maria expressed, urging authorities to intervene.
Francis Pereira, another resident, expressed frustration over the prolonged ordeal, spanning four years. He debunked officials' claims of pipeline blockages, asserting that his plumber confirmed the infrastructure's integrity. "Despite assurances, the issue persists, forcing us to rely on additional pumps and our electricity bills," Pereira revealed, highlighting the financial burden imposed on residents.
Echoing the sentiments, Sona Martins highlighted the fundamental importance of water for drinking and hygiene. "We're forced to stay awake during early morning hours to access water, which anffects our well-being," stated Sona.
