PONDA: With the taps running dry for the past 15 days, Bethora residents on Monday marched to the PWD office at Daag, Ponda, and gheraoed the officials by launching a protest over the water scarcity.
The locals complained that they are facing a water crisis as their taps have run dry for the past fortnight, with no water available to meet their daily needs. They further threatened to launch a gagar (empty utensils) morcha to the office on Tuesday, if the water supply was not restored by Monday.
Anil Patil, a villager, said, “Since the past 15 days the taps in the village have run dry. Locals from Dattagarh, Vaidyangar, Kasarwada, Zune-Maal, who are furious over the water scarcity, on Monday, rushed to the PWD office at Daag-Ponda, and grilled the officials over the issue. They complained that they have no water for drinking, bathing and cooking purposes and have demanded that the officials immediately solve the issue, failing which, they would launch a gagar morcha on the PWD office with empty utensils.”
The locals said, “Water supplied through one or two tankers for 600 houses located in the area is insufficient.”
“The officials should ensure that the locals get regular water supply from a dedicated pipeline in the area,” the locals said.
They accused some persons of committing water theft by fixing motor pumps to the pipeline and demanded that the authorities inspect the pipeline.
Mahesh Bandekar, another resident, urged the officials to check if there is any fault in the valve or pipeline, which they suspect has caused the problem.
The locals demanded that the PWD investigate whether the water meant for the villages is diverted elsewhere.
The officials at PWD office at Daag, Ponda, said they are undertaking constant follow-ups on the complaints from Bethora locals with regards to the water scarcity and assured to attend to their grievances.
The officials said that they had inspected the site and even tanker water was supplied to the locals following complaints.
The further assured that all efforts would be made to sort out the water crisis issue.
