MARGAO: Officials from the National Hydrology Project, a Central Government initiative, conducted an inspection of the open public well at Kasabwada-Neturlim in Sanguem taluka on Saturday morning. The inspection aimed to monitor water quality and potability, among other factors.
The well has been a focal point for the community over the past year, with locals and Panchayat member Rakhi Naik striving to restore it for public use. Allegations of attempts to pollute the well have circulated, and several wells in the vicinity have already been polluted and abandoned. However, local youth, with Naik’s support, have worked tirelessly to maintain the viability of this well.
Recently, after the Panchayat was unable to allocate funds for cleaning the well, Naik and the locals pooled their resources to clean and paint the well. They have also alleged that certain individuals attempted to pollute the well water by constructing a septic tank less than ten metres away from the traditional water source.
During the inspection, officials took water samples for testing, and are expected to provide a report in two months. They emphasised the importance of wells dug for groundwater recharge, describing them as vital natural resources that need maintenance for better groundwater recharge in surrounding areas.
Panchayat member Rakhi Naik expressed her appreciation for the inspection, noting that it highlights the importance of preserving dug wells, which are increasingly at risk of neglect across the State.
