The recent unplugged leakages in the pipeline at Peddem for three days, is yet another case of how millions of litres of drinking water go down the drain, due to frequent pipe bursts and leakages in the distribution system, left unattended by the PWD, all the year round. Millions of people in the villages and cities as a result are deprived of their daily requirements, as their taps run dry for days together. The Goa govt has already spent crores of rupees to improve the state's drinking water requirements, and can ill afford to waste public money any more. It is therefore time to do a re-think as to whether we really need the PWD or it is time to set up a separate water works department, to look after the maintenance and day-to-day operations of the state's water distribution system, as is the case in some states. The PWD it appears is too over-burdened with other public works, such as road repairs and hot-mixing works, and has little time for water works. The sooner we decide, the better.
