With reference to the news report ‘ Wetland identification will be completed in 2 years; Cabral’ ( TGE, June 3) I would like to comment as follows: The statement by PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral that “efforts are on to supply 24x7 water to the people of Goa” is nothing new, and sounds more like a fairy tale, after several such promises were held out during the time of late CM Manohar Parrkar. The fault however, lies with Goa’s faulty water distribution system and not with the shortage of drinking water , as Goa is blessed with more than average rainfall every year and we have adequate water stored in our reservoirs to last us all the year round. By now, our damaged and corroded pipes ought to have been replaced with larger diameter distribution pipes, which unfortunately is not the case. Secondly, keeping a daily check of water pressure and flow in the distribution network, area-wise, is the daily exercise and requirement to be carried out by the maintenance dept of the PWD. This is not being done, otherwise how can we explain the poor water supply that comes like a trickle to many houses. Why can’t this be done in a small state like Goa , instead of harping upon the 30-40% losses in water revenue due to leakages?.
