MARGAO: Residents of Utorda-Majorda expressed frustration on Tuesday as the Public Works Department (Water Supply) issued notices requesting pipeline replacements to address the water supply crisis in their area.
Residents allege these notices are harassment tactics rather than addressing the underlying issue of low water pressure.
Utorda villagers have long endured irregular water supply, with several residents voicing their grievances over the past few months and urging authorities to rectify the problem. Even senior citizens have faced difficulties obtaining water.
The PWD’s notices cite old and corroded pipelines as the cause of erratic water supply.
Sharlet Fernandes, a local panch member, denounced the notices as unacceptable, accusing the PWD of harassment rather than solving the issue.
“We requested on-site inspections to demonstrate the problem to residents, but instead of resolving the issue, the PWD is harassing us,” she alleged.
Fernandes claimed the notices lack justification.
Krishna Naik, Junior Engineer at PWD, acknowledged the water pressure issue, attributing it to aging and corroded pipelines. However, he admitted that the current water supply lacks sufficient pressure to fill overhead tanks.
“We conducted site inspections and found that the problem lies with the pipes of households connected to the main pipeline,” he stated.
Naik emphasised that many household pipes are old and need replacement.
Residents argue that replacing domestic pipelines will impose additional financial burdens and urge the government to propose alternative solutions.
