MAPUSA
Frustrated over persistent water shortages despite the commissioning of a new water filtration plant in the village, residents of Assagao on Sunday demanded a joint inspection of the facility involving villagers, panchayat members, government engineers and the local MLA.
The demand was raised during the gram sabha meeting, where several residents complained that the village continues to face irregular water supply even though the filtration plant has been constructed on land provided by the Assagao comunidade.
Local resident Michael Queroz questioned why Assagao was not receiving adequate water despite hosting the facility.
“The Assagao comunidade has given land free of cost for the construction of the plant. Yet, Assagao residents are struggling for water while neighbouring areas such as Siolim and Anjuna are receiving supply. The priorities need to be set right,” Queroz said.
Supporting the demand, another resident, Owen Braganza, said villagers have been facing hardships due to frequent disruptions in water supply.
“It is unfortunate that a filtration plant has been built in Assagao, but the village itself is not getting sufficient water. This is an anti-climax. Officials must be held accountable and a joint inspection is necessary to understand where the problem lies,” Braganza said.
Villagers warned that if officials fail to attend the proposed inspection, a large-scale protest should be organised at the site to pressure the government into taking corrective action.
Responding to the concerns, Assagao Sarpanch Hanumant Naik agreed to convene a joint inspection on June 11 at 11 am. He said the panchayat would formally write to the concerned departments and invite the local MLA to participate.
Apart from water supply issues, residents also voiced concerns over frequent power outages that have affected the village over the past 10 days. Several locals claimed the interruptions had increased significantly, causing inconvenience to households.
Naik informed the gram sabha that the panchayat had already written to the Electricity Department seeking clarification and requesting priority be given to residential consumers.
He added that if power shortages were being caused by supply to commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants, the department should ensure that local residents are not adversely affected.
The gram sabha also discussed concerns over choked cross drains.
Residents pointed out that utility agencies had laid cables and pipes haphazardly through drains, raising fears of waterlogging during the monsoon despite the panchayat having completed pre-monsoon desilting works.
