QUEPEM: Goa may have earned the distinction of becoming the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State in the country by providing 100 per cent tap connections. However, the ground reality in Gokulde in Padi-Barcem Panchayat jurisdiction is thta during April and May, the residents are forced to travel to far off places to fetch drinking water from excavated pits near the river.
It is pertinent to note that for Gokulde residents, water scarcity during April and May has been an annual feature as they are compelled to depend on natural resources to meet their drinking water requirements.
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As river water levels drop during April-May period, people dependent on these pits to quench their thirst and are forced to travel at least a kilometre away from the river and to add to their woes these pits also run dry during the summer.
This situation is faced by mostly by villagers staying in the forest and hilly areas.
The locals complain that the water pipeline has still not reached their areas.
Shailesh Velip, a local said, “excavated pits should be maintained properly. They use coconut palm leaves, plastic and other material to cover them”.
On water shortage in Gokulde, Barcem ZP member Kushali Velip confirmed that the area is hit by water shortage mostly during March and April for the last several years. A new water pipeline has been laid in these villages. Around 80 per cent of work has been completed and after its completion, the water scarcity issue will be solved.
He said due to the pandemic on account of shortage of labourers the work has slowed down.
Quepem Water Supply Department AE Vasuraj Sarmalkar said, “Padi Panchayat has come under the government’s Jal Jeevan Mission. Under the scheme, tap connections have reached all areas of the panchayat and its surrounding villages. “However, some villages located on the hills still face water scarcity. Under the scheme, the government provides open well and bore wells. At present, water from the excavated pits is used for drinking purpose and this is an annual issue especially during April and May which will be solved soon after constructing the new water tank which is currently underway in Padi”, he added.
