It is learnt that a 250 mm water pipeline got damaged at Dattawadi-Mapusa while underground cabling work was in progress. This led to water supply to several parts of Mapusa being disrupted. Damage to underground water pipelines due to various works being undertaken, including sewerage works, is of common occurrence in various parts of the State. The general public is put to hardships due to non-availability of water for no fault of theirs. Water is then supplied by private water-tanker owners to the citizens at a price till such time that the damaged pipeline is repaired. It is pertinent to note that the authorities are quick to cut the water supply to homes if there is a delay in payment of the water bill. Why should the common man be made to suffer due to non-availability of water due to damage to the underground water pipeline? It would be prudent for the civic bodies and village panchayats to have one or two water-tankers as stand-by in order to supply potable water to homes that are affected due to damage to the water pipeline just like they maintain garbage trucks and water tankers to water the plants. This potable water should be supplied free of cost and continued till the damaged pipeline is repaired and water supply is restored.
