Team Herald
MARGAO: Against the backdrop of a 15-day-long water shortage, the Betalbatim panchayat has strongly criticised the Public Works Department (PWD), Town and Country Planning (TCP), Water Resources Department (WRD), and other concerned authorities for failing to respond to their repeated requests for holistic solutions to the village’s infrastructure issues.
While the water shortage remained the most pressing concern, panchayat members — including Deputy Sarpanch Ilma Dias, panch member Viola Pacheco, and others — blamed various government departments for consistently failing to act on public grievance complaints in a timely manner.
They noted that the public often blames the panchayat, without realising that it has limited powers. Water supply falls under the purview of the PWD and WRD, while the TCP continues to push for clearances of commercial projects that are further straining the village’s already overstretched resources.
Later in the day, Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes briefed the media and expressed frustration that despite the panchayat’s decision to withhold project licences due to shortages of water, power, and other essentials, government departments continue to return the files and insist that the panchayat secretary approve them on technical grounds — or face suspension.
Fernandes said this system was flawed and urged the authorities to take greater cognisance of public concerns.
On the water shortage issue specifically, the panchayat said it has been consistently following up with authorities, but has only received unreliable assurances. Residents remain without water and continue to call panchayat members seeking answers.
They noted that while some locals are managing by drawing water from community wells, the situation is not sustainable for much longer.
The members added that the issue isn’t new — it has persisted for over two and a half years — but it has come into sharp focus in the last two weeks.
The Sarpanch explained that the current shortage was due to a breakdown at Verna. After residents protested on the roads on Wednesday, water was briefly restored that night, but supply stopped again by Thursday.
He also criticised the way contractors have been handling pipeline repairs, alleging that faulty pipe joining results in low pressure, which then affects the entire village’s supply. While authorities may consider their job done once water is restored, Fernandes said the weak pressure means water doesn’t reach the first or second floors of many houses.
Panchayat members further questioned how authorities continue to approve mega and commercial projects when the village is grappling with basic infrastructure problems. They expressed frustration over the disconnect between development approvals and the on-ground realities.
The water shortage issue, however, is not limited to Betalbatim or even Salcete, but extends to Mormugao taluka, where several areas continue to face similar problems.
Here too, residents have been dealing with erratic supply for nearly ten days, significantly affecting their daily routines.
While the PWD has identified the fault at the Verna pipeline and initiated repairs, locals are angry that authorities have not checked on how people are coping — especially during the peak summer heat.