Team Herald
PANJIM: While large parts of Goa battle severe water shortages, shocking levels of negligence have led to gallons of potable water being wasted daily near Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim. Despite repeated complaints, authorities have failed to act, leaving frustrated locals questioning the system’s accountability.
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For at least four months, clean drinking water has been gushing from cracks between pavement blocks on the footpath connecting the old GMC complex to the new Specialty Block. Adding to the wastage, two water tankers behind the kiosks — intended for storing clean water — have been spewing water relentlessly through an open pipe.
“This happens every evening, starting around 5 pm, and continues throughout the night,” said Ravindra Yadav, a hotel employee. “I’ve been working here for a month, and I’ve seen this happening every single day.”
The volume of wasted water is so high that it travels nearly 100 metres before stagnating, creating a mess that vendors like Ayodhya Yadav say is driving away customers.
“The stagnant water remains here until late at night, and no one wants to walk through it. People avoid coming to my shop because they don’t want to get their feet wet,” said a vendor, speaking anonymously.
Despite repeated complaints to the Public Works Department (PWD), no action was taken for months.
“This has been going on for far too long. Either the authorities are blind to the problem, or they simply don’t care,” said another shop owner.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa President Amit Palekar slammed the authorities for their inaction.
“There is an urgent need to pay attention to the problem not only by the Public Works Department (PWD) but also by the Health Department as the place is frequented by thousands of people,” Palekar said.
Following mounting pressure, a PWD official claimed the issue had finally been addressed.
“There was a problem with the internal pumping system in the GMC campus,” the official said. “The issue has now been attended to, and there should be no further leakage.”
Whether this ‘fix’ holds or the water continues to flow remains to be seen.
