TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CANACONA: Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar has lashed out at the local PWD (water supply) officials for their failure to ensure adequate and regular water supply in Canacona taluka.
Tawadkar directed the local PWD (water supply) officers to prepare a roadmap and to ensure augmentation of water supply vis-à-vis the availability of ample water from the Chapoli Dam and regular pumping from the Ordhofond River.
Following widespread complaints of erratic water supply in Canacona taluka, Tawadkar convened a joint meeting with representatives of aggrieved residents and PWD (water supply) officers at Government Rest House, Shristhal on Wednesday.
Canacona PWD (water supply) Assistant Engineer Alister D’Souza, JEs Prakash Bangale, Deepraj Madkaikar and Sarvesh Phadte were among the officials present, while Sarpanchas Mahesh Naik (Poinguinim), Laximan Raikar (Shristhal), Shristhal Panch Prashant Dessai, Laxavati Velip, Loliem-Polem Deputy Sarpanch Ashutosh Bandekar and some persons from Pedem-Loliem and Dhavalkhazan-Agonda represented the aggrieved residents.
“We are not getting water supply for prolonged periods and no one responds to our complaints,” alleged a woman from Pedem.
Another woman from Dhavalkhazan complained that they have been forced to remain awake throughout the night hoping to get water and alleged that water is released as per whims and fancies of valve operators well past midnight.
Representatives also complained that there is no water supply since the last one month in Karvem-Gaondongrim, Cotigao, Poinguinim, besides other places.
After listening to their grievances, Tawadkar warned the officials to be responsive to public complaints and asked them to prepare a plan to augment water supply in the entire taluka.
“There is no dearth of sufficient water from Chapoli Dam and Ordhofond Pump, besides the Gaunem Dam in Gaondongrim will be commissioned by June end. Taking this into account, you should undertake proper planning to augment water supply to all localities.”
“Plan overhead tanks or new pipeline wherever required. I will speak to the chief minister and will also convene a joint meeting with the top PWD brass in the State, and get whatever finances needed to enable 24-hour water supply to Canacona,” said Tawadkar.
After being at the receiving end, PWD officials brought to the minister’s notice that pending bills to the tune of lakhs of rupees has hindered maintenance of equipment presently under warranty.
“We find it difficult to repair the frequently failing pumps as well as to service the generators, as bills are still pending with the government,” a PWD official told the minister.
Tawadkar assured to discuss the issue of pending bills with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and get them settled at the earliest.
