Team Herald
PORVORIM: Porvorim and Saligao locals along with their elected representatives Rohan Khaunte and Jayesh Salgaonkar on Monday gheraoed the Porvorim PWD Water Department demanding immediate supply of water.
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The protest turned severe resulting in the local police to intervene. The locals then demanded to meet the PWD minister. Followingly, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar visited the spot and met the protestors and MLAs of Porvorim and Saligao Constituencies.
During the meet, both the MLAs questioned the minister about the restoration of supply of water in their constituencies.
Porvorim MLA Rohan said,” This is a complete discoordination and miscommunication between the highway contractor and PWD Water Department. Without the authority, the contractor has down work which is of sub-standard quality and I am going to file a criminal complaint against the contractor.”“Later, the PWD Minister assured to send 10 tankers in next 12 hours in Porvorim and Saligao Constituencies equally,” Khaute informed.
“There was no water for the last four days and now on the fifth day, the water supplied is totally dirty. If the department fails to provide water in next 24 hours then we will protest outside the Secretariat, Education Department and High Court since these departments are receiving water but the common man is suffering,” said Khaunte.
“We want justice and if water is not supplied in next 12 hours then we will come up with logical steps. Water is being supplied to five star hotels in Calangute. Tanker mafia is very prevalent in last three days. Water tanker cost Rs 1,200 to 1,500 which the common man cannot afford,” claimed Khaunte.
He further alleged that the PWD Water Department is acting ignorant.
“Several morchas were held and follow ups were done but the department is least bothered about the common people. Two days preventive shutdown was called, which was planned. However, even after two days, there was no water supply for the last four days. There is no water, no water supply via tankers but the people are getting regular bills,” Khaunte added.
The locals also demanded confirmation from the Executive Engineer on the assurance provided by the PWD Minister that the department would provide water supply via tankers within the next 12 hours.
