Water supply lines as well as electricity and telephone are but essential services No one should deny the neighbour these facilities on the ground of the lines passing through his property. Fortunately the service lines today have gone underground but the situation persists. Right to underground passage be restricted on reasonable considerations of avoidable damage. Inspite of it many due to inimical reasons some people are refusing permission for connections. It needs to be reminded that these lines pass through many other properties before they reach the consumer. Years ago a delegation of Chinchinim citizens met the then chief minister Dr Wilfred D'souza urging him for legislation as an arrogant and adamant neighbour was obstructing access to public utilities. His reply was that Saligao Village is a model village where such petty problems are totally alien and there is no need for such a legislation. Even to this date a neighbour is being denied access to these vital services causing hardships.The legislation must ensure that only diversion in the property is way forward. In the alternative such services must be disconnected to such individuals .
