PANJIM: A crippling drinking water crisis and collapsing pipeline pressure have pushed Reis Magos residents to the brink, triggering warnings of massive public agitations and a protest march against authorities. To defuse the brewing unrest, aggrieved villagers have demanded immediate regulation of supply timings, free government water tankers for worst-hit elevated zones, and an emergency freeze on new mega-housing connections until the 15 MLD Pilerne plant is fully commissioned.
For the past several weeks, households across various wards—particularly those in elevated and tail-end pockets—have been receiving erratic and irregular supply that flows in mere trickles.
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The plummeting water pressure has left hundreds of families unable to store enough water for basic daily necessities, cooking and sanitation. Locals stated that despite the State being naturally blessed with abundant water resources, the distribution management has collapsed locally. Many complain that they are being forced to shell out exorbitant amounts out of pocket to hire private water tankers just to sustain their day-to-day household activities.
Residents and local activists pointed out that while the demographic load and construction of new mega-complexes in the area have risen rapidly, the underlying public utility infrastructure has failed to keep pace.
The situation has triggered widespread public resentment, with citizens questioning why construction permissions continue to expand when the existing population is starved of an uninterrupted, basic utility.
Furthermore, widespread local concern over the depletion of the groundwater sponge has already led to strict monitoring of unauthorised borewells, making the public tap supply an absolute lifeline for the community.
When raised at recent local forums, authorities acknowledged that because Reis Magos sits at the tail-end of the supply line routing from the Assonora water treatment plant, pressure naturally drops significantly by the time it reaches local pipelines.
To bridge this massive demand-supply gap, the local Reis Magos Panchayat has highlighted that relief hinges heavily on the ongoing construction of the 15 MLD (million litres per day) Water Treatment Plant at Pilerne.
While local body representatives have assured that the completion of this dedicated project by October 2026 will offer a permanent solution to all households, residents argue they cannot wait months for a basic necessity.
The aggrieved residents of Reis Magos have urged the Department of Drinking Water (DDW) and senior administrative authorities to initiate immediate interim relief measures.
John Aguiar, a resident, said, “We have been suffering without regular water supply for the last many days. I suspect that water is being diverted to mega housing projects at the cost of local residents. We want regular and uninterrupted water supply.”
Harish Madkaikar, another resident, said, “The water supply is highly irregular and the timing is erratic, with water being released at odd hours. People are forced to remain awake during the night waiting for water. Last year, villagers had protested against the irregular supply following which the situation improved for a few days. However, we are once again receiving water on alternate days and that too for barely one or two hours.”
Sidhesh Goveker too complained that the water was irregular and it is released after every two days and not alternate days. “The water pressure is low and it takes a long time to fill the buckets. Our condition is pitiable as we have no wells or borewells in the locality and solely depend on the government piped water supply.”
