CALANGUTE: Even after repeated promises and new infrastructure, there is no improvement in water and power supply in the Bardez coastal belt of Calangute and Saligao, according to locals. Despite this, permissions are still being given for new mega projects.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, speaking at a recent gram sabha, said they had in the past informed the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department and the Chief Town Planner about the situation.
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“We told them that if you’re giving permissions for new constructions see that there is enough power and water supply. Permissions are still being given by the TCP Department,” he said.
In Calangute, the water supply was supposed to improve with the commissioning of the new water tank near Calangute Association ground, but there has been no improvement in the water supply received by consumers, and areas namely Sauntavaddo still don’t receive any water at all and people are forced to buy water from tankers, locals said.
The situation is the same in neighbouring Saligao, residents said. “Power, water and good roads are the basic necessity. In Verem and Nerul every household says they’re not getting any water. Five years ago, PWD Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar came and said in one year there will be enough water for everyone. They’re only making promises,” a local activist said.
The problem of frequent power cuts also continues despite promises that the issue would be resolved with the commissioning of the new sub-station at Calangute.
“First, they said we require one more sub-station at Nagoa; after the Nagoa sub-station commissioned some years ago, it was same story. Candolim sub-station has come and it’s the same old story. Now Calangute sub-station has come and still nothing,” Calangute Constituency Forum President Premanand said at a recent gram sabha.
“Last time in May when we met the Chief Electricity Engineer (CEE), he said give me eight days. But the problem is still there. Every day there’s no power for hours. This badly affects tourism businesses,” locals said.
