PISSURLEM: Food, water, clothing, and shelter are the basic needs of humans, but today the people in Pissurlem village are facing acute water shortages for more than 25 years. They met several officials and knocked on the doors of several departments, all they get is assurance and short-term relief.
The people living in Pissurlem village are every day in search of water. Speaking to Team Herald locals expressed their feelings about what condition they are living in. One said that at some time they walked miles in search of water.
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Locals also complained about how they were assured by the mining companies that water would be given or supplied to them from time to time but in reality, nothing has been done.
Farmer activist Hanumant Parab spoke on the reality. He said firstly most of the fields are destroyed by the mining lobby; natural water resources have been destroyed. Parab also said that there are several mining pits that full of water but the mining lobby/corporates are not releasing the water. He added that if this water is released then it will solve most of the issues and people will not have to walk miles or wait for water.
Earlier in the past, people have even marched to the panchayat with a morcha raising their difficulties due to the acute water shortage crisis, but every time all they got is assurance.
Meanwhile, speaking to Herald Sarpanch Vijayshree Devanand Parab said, “The water issue is going on for several years however recently local MLA Deviya Rane conducted a joint meeting with the engineers, PWD officials, and the local authorities. Now the PWD will install a new pipeline to solve the water issue of Pissurlem village and the nearby panchayat area. A few days back the work of installing a new pipeline began.”
Panch member Devanand Parab said, “Yes, there is a lot of shortage of water in the village for the past several years. We had many meetings and tried to resolve the issue but this time the matter will be solved. There needs to be a replacement of the existing pipeline. Earlier people had moved the court hence these issues weren’t completely resolved but now things are improving.”
Meanwhile, the court had ordered to give water by April 10 but nothing has been done. However, the Water Supply Department officials have assured to solve the water problem and also release the water from the mining pit and the storage. He also suggested that water from the Anjunem Dam be released.
One of the locals Babusho Gaude said that they are facing this issue for nearly 25 years; at times they are given/sent water through tankers but just one tanker in a week. He questioned if one tanker is enough? He also said that several people came and showed their support but to date, nothing was done.
Another local Arati Anand Parab said, “The locals’ only demand is the immediate release of water from mining pits to us. It will help us, especially for our domestic purpose. It will sort out at least 40% of our water shortage issue. Tanker water supply will not solve our problem.”
Babuso Dhatkar, a villager, took a dig at the officials and said that the Valpoi Water Supply Department and Bicholim Water Supply Department are not serious about the issues faced by the locals of Pissurlem and neighbouring villages.
