PERNEM: Locals of Arambol are facing water shortage for the last many years and despite several complaints to panchayat and PWD, the authorities have failed to provide a solution.
Locals informed that it’s been many years that the village is facing water shortage problem and from last two weeks there is no water. The villagers said they raised the issue at the gram sabha on several times wherein the panchayat decided to write letter to PWD but till date the problem has remained unsolved.
Locals claimed that all hotels and resorts get regular water supply. However, the locals are deprived of proper water supply. When there is water supply the pressure is very low and its takes hours to fill up a bucket.
They complained that they are forced to store water as they receive water on alternate days and sometimes there is no supply for 3-4 days. As there is no fix timing of water supply, they are forced to stay awake till late night to collect water.
The alleged that the concerned staff diverts the water anytime of the day or night causing inconvenience to people.
Of the 15 MLD of total water supply in Pernem taluka, Arambol receives only 3 MLD per day but according to the increasing population and tourists, the consumption of water is more and the supply is not enough.
With no water supply, the villagers complained that they are forced to shell out money to engage the services of water tankers for drinking purpose and other household work.
A local said, “If this is the situation in January than one can imagine what will be the situation during the summer. Each time the officials assure us they will solve the problem but till date the problem exists”.
However, panch Daniel D’Souza said, “The Panchayat has already written to PWD to take necessary steps and the Sarpanch and all the panchas will visit the Pernem PWD office on Tuesday.
Reshmi Naik, a resident of Arambol said, “We get water every alternate day and sometimes after two days. We store water in tanks to use on those days when there no water. We don’t want 24 hours water but it should be supplied daily at least for two hours”.
Another local Ritu Vazarkar said, “We get water after every 2 or 3 days that too from the bore well. They authorities supply the water at any time during the night, which causes inconvenience”.
