team herald
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project was meant to provide better water supply facilities in the State and yet, not everybody is excited about the project.
Residents of Sanvordem-Curchorem and neighbouring areas are unhappy with the water pipeline laid from Shirvoi-Quepem to Guddemol-Sanvordem, on grounds that it has caused hardships to people and motorists.
Mounting public anger compelled JICA and PWD officials to inspect the site on Wednesday, as they could not inspect the site on Tuesday. What has angered the locals is that the JICA authorities had laid a new pipeline over the existing water pipeline on a narrow bridge, severely restricting the pathway on the bridge over the Zuari River which connects Curchorem and Sanvordem.
The pipeline was also laid in a similar manner on the railway over-bridge at Khamamoll-Curchorem, causing similar difficulties to pedestrians and motorists. On the other side of the road, the telephone department had laid their cables, further narrowing the road.
When the matter was brought to the notice of Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, he visited the site and directed authorities concerned to remove the pipeline and to lay it again at the place as suggested by the PWD officials.
On Wednesday, officials from PWD (Roads) from Ponda and JICA representatives inspected the water pipeline at Sanvordem–Curchorem, following public anger that JICA had laid a new pipeline over the existing water pipeline on a narrow footbridge, severely restricting the pathway on the bridge which connects Curchorem and Sanvordem on the Zuari River.
PWD Assistant Engineer (Roads) from Ponda Maruti Jhalmi said that the NOC was given to JICA on condition that they would lay the pipeline outside the bridge and not on the pathway.
JICA Executive Engineer Karekar admitted that there is a danger on both bridges and assured to report the matter to his superiors.
“If required, we will shift the pipeline from the pathway of bridge on Zuari River, but permission has to be obtained from the railway authorities to put the pipeline outside the railway overbridge,” informed Karekar.
