Will file FIR to ascertain if it’s leakage or pilferage: Panch
Says well has been sealed, but how can we repair damage done
THE GOAN NETWORK
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VASCO Dabolim Ward Panch Neelam Naik has decided to file a police complaint to ensure a proper investigation in the incident of contamination in the wells of Matvem-Dabolim.
“It came as a rude shock to me when the area was smelling of petrol and we were shocked when we realised that water from the well even caught fire when lit,” said Naik.
“The well has been sealed but how can we repair the damage done and who has done this damage is the question? We have around 600 people, 200 houses and 22 wells in the area and the ground water has been contaminated which can affect the entire area,” said Naik.
“We have called the oil tanking companies but they were also speechless and could not give any replies. They had come to the site at around 4 pm and they arranged tankers at around 9.30 pm to remove the water from the wells but despite that there seems to be a bluish liquid coming in the well. Either their pipelines are leaking or there is some pilferage in the matter.”
“We need to have a FIR lodged to ensure a proper investigation in the incident. All authorities are coming but what is the final solution? Who will be responsible if there is any disaster while work to flush out the liquid is being carried out,” asked Naik.
BIRTHDAY GET-TOGETHER THAT RAISED ALARM
VASCO: Believe it or not, it was a birthday get-together of 87-year-old Joaquim Fernandes that made family members realise there had been some contamination in the well.
According to information, family members from various parts of the State had gone to Matvem-Dabolim to wish Joaquim, who lives with his wife. “It was on my birthday on November 10 that my daughter and other relatives came here and they all complained of a strong odour of petrol around the house,” said Fernandes.
“I told them the smell had been there for a few days but we had not enquired into the matter. They insisted that we need to check on the petrol smell. My wife and I left our house and stayed with our daughter for a few days.”
“On our return to Matvem, the petrol odour was still there. We then contacted our panch member Neelam Naik two days ago and told her about the petrol smell. When she came here to check, we later realised that it was from our own well.”
“We used to cook from the water of this well and in fact, one of our relatives had also faced health issue and some stomach upset, which we feel may be because of this well water, said Fernandes.
He said the well had been there for over 30 years and they had never faced any issues till date.
“Water from the well was very sweet and we have been using this well water for all these years. Many people from other areas also used to come here to take water from our well in cans.”
“With fuel traces in water, it has become unsafe and unfit for human use and we may not be able to use the water again. We are going to miss the well dearly, especially the many memories attached to it. We are not sure of what will happen next,” said Fernandes.
Fernandes said the family has been in fear ever since the well was confirmed to have been contaminated.
“In fact, after seeing the water catching fire during a check for fuel contamination, I could not sleep well at night and I requested my relatives to take me away from here. But some relatives came to my house and stayed for the night. We have been in fear because this is for the first time that we are witnessing something like this,” said Fernandes.
VASCOAmid reports of wells being contaminated with fuel in Matvem-Dabolim, various authorities visited the site on Tuesday to carry out investigations, even as panch member claimed there was a definite leakage of a petroleum pipeline that had caused the contamination of ground water in the area.While the Fire Department along with the panch members and officials of the Dy Collector office under Disaster Management took a joint inspection of the well and later sealed it,…
