VASCO: Irked over the failure of PWD officials to solve water crisis faced by the residents of her constituency, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Tuesday threatened to hit the streets along with the constituents if the issue is not resolved in next one week.
“Water supply should be regulated, not as any favour but as the right of the people. It is people’s right to get water and it is our responsibility and those specifically in charge to provide the water. Despite repeated requests and assurances, things have not changed and now I am tired as every day I am getting calls, sometimes even at midnight, from people saying that they are not getting water,” she said.
Alina warned that if regular water supply is not restored to her constituency within a week, she would stage a street protest with the support of her constituents. The MLA made the threat during a meeting she had with Water department officials at her constituency office in Upasnagar, on Tuesday.
Alina convened the meeting after Cortalim Panchayat officials along with villagers met and complained to her that they have been facing acute water supply since last several months. They also complained that due to ongoing bridge cum flyover works on NH17 road, the residents of Cortalim were not getting regular water supply, though PWD maintains proper water supply to Agassaim areas.
“Since the main water tanks/reservoirs (atop Consua hill) are located in our land and in our constituency, water supply to us should be first priority. Also I want to know why the people from other constituencies are not facing the problem. Why only the residents of Cortalim have to face water problems. The Cortalim constituency has been suffering for too long. Supply regular water to Cortalim constituency with the right pressure, otherwise we will have problem,” Alina told to Assistant Engineer Vishwambhar Bhende.
Bhende said that demand for stopping water supply to Agassaim cannot be entertained.
