SANGUEM: A public well used by around 20 villagers from Bodemoll ward of Uguem Panchayat caved in on Saturday.
Three women from the village, who had gone to fetch water, returned home to inform the other family members of the bubbles emerging.
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However, before they could return, the well caved in leaving the villagers shocked. The well water was used by the villagers for drinking purpose as the taps in their homes run dry for the most part of the year.
Panch Marcus Pereira informed that drinking water does not reach Bodemoll ward due to low pressure. To augment the water supply, a pump needs to be installed. However, the department over the years could not install the pump for want of power supply and also for want of NOC from the landlord in whose property the pipeline passes. Pereira informed that three months ago the panchayat had passed a resolution to construct the well using concrete since it was used by the villagers for drinking purpose. However, the work got delayed as the estimates could not be prepared by the concerned authorities.
The incident has forced the villagers to undergo hardship in meeting their drinking water requirement. However, the Water Supply Department on Saturday pressed into service a tanker to supply drinking water to the locals. The department has assured to continue to supply drinking water through tanker on alternate days till the situation improves.
The villagers now have to travel a kilometre to fetch water from the other well in the village.
Sources informed that during summer, when the well had dried up, Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar had made provision to provide drinking water to Pedamoll locals for at least four months.
Immediately, after receiving information that the well had caved in, Sanguem Mamlatdar Manoj Korgaonkar directed the Uguem talathi Yogita Misal to visit the area and submit a detailed report of the incident.
Former sarpanch of Uguem Anil Zangale called upon the authorities to get the soil testing done of the nearby wells to prevent any untoward incident.
