PONDA: Despite Goa becoming the first State to be ‘Har Ghar Jal-certified’, Bibal in Bethora Panchayat jurisdiction is probably the only area in the State, which has been left without water connection.
The State government celebrated 60 years of Liberation, but has failed to provide one of the basic necessities to this area.
The UB Group based at Bethora IDC has taken the initiative to supply water to around 25 houses in the area from a pond situated in the hilly region. At present, the entire area depends on only two taps for water.
The project was initiated by then Goa head of the UB Group Govind Tiwari through corporate social responsibility (CSR) along with Bethora’s former sarpanch Punam Samant and former Industries Minister Mahadev Naik.
It is pertinent to note that one of the two taps is turned off during April and May. The locals fear that in future the area will face severe water shortage if required steps are not taken immediately.
The locals use water from nearby nullah to wash clothes.
The neighbouring area of Haluli, which has more than 50 houses, is also dependent on the pond water and sometimes people approach Bibal locals for water.
The area also lacks public transport connectivity.
“The water pipelines are yet to be laid in the area and efforts for the same will be undertaken soon,” assured Bethora sarpanch Umesh Gaude.