Blame it on bad planning or no planning at all on the part of the authorities. The Gaunem Dam at Gaondogrem, which is meant for irrigation and supply of drinking water, is ready, but the infrastructure, such as the pipeline, water treatment plant and the irrigation canals, is not yet in place.
The construction of the Gaunem dam, which commenced in 2012 at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore, is complete. The dam, which has a submergence area of 15.3 hectares, with a total capacity of 1770 million litres, is ready to store water for the coming monsoon season.
The water from this dam as per a resolution passed by Gaondogrem panchayat is to be utilised for irrigation and drinking purpose for Gaondogrem, Cotigao and Amonem.
According to sources around 5 MLD of water will be supplied to villagers, who face water scarcity. They have to often collect water in barrels for their daily use.
According to former Cotigao sarpanch Rajesh Gaonkar, the infrastructure such as the pipeline, water treatment plant and the irrigation are yet to be in place.
Former Gaondogrem sarpanch Rajendra Velip said “Our panchayat has passed a resolution that the dam water will be used by the residents of Gaondogrem, Cotigao and Amonem and the concerned authorities should ensure that the infrastructure regarding supply of water and irrigation should be in place as soon as possible as there is water shortage in these areas.”
