Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: I.N.D.I bloc leaders led a token protest raising queries to the WRD and PWD (Water-supply) officers for their failure in supplying water-supply inspite of completing a Dam (Gaunem Dam) 7 years ago, and left residents of Gaondongrim and Khotigao villages crying for their helplessness in getting sufficient portable water for day-to-day usage.
The WRD Officials however, washed off their hands stating the department had instead completed the construction of Gaunem Dam in 2017 itself, and since then awaiting PWD (Water-Supply) to make necessary provisions (For a Pump-house, Storage Tanks, etc) to pull the water from the dam, to Commission the Dam for public use. PWD have done the same as yet.
The PWD (Water-Supply) Officers, however, expressed their helplessness to pull water from the dam as their every effort to obtain NOC to set up a Pump-House, Storage Tanks, and Water Treatment Plant/Tank for the Gaunem Dam is unsuccessful.
“Almost thrice before we have prepared the estimates, but every time, the estimate files come back for want of a suitable place for setting up the required plant/tank for the Gaunem dam. Now, recently, our talks are underway with a prominent Devalaya to allocate a piece of land (approximately 4000-5000 sqm), and if everything goes well, we expect to complete the works and begin to supply Gaunem Dam water to the people of Gaondongrim and Khotigao in two years time,” informed Canacona PWD (WS) Assistant Engineer Sanjay Thopil, who interacted with the INDI Alliance activists on Wednesday.
INDI Alliance partners led by Spokesperson and Goa Forward Party Environment Cell Chairman Vikas Bhagat put out the grievances of the people of Gaondongrim and Khotigao, stating it is unfortunate that PWD cannot set-up a plant/Tank to utilize supply of Water from Gaunem Dam, which was taken up for construction now for almost more than 12 years ago, and completed in 2017 (7 years ago) and awaiting commissioning since than for want of supply network.
Our request to the BJP government who claims to do everything under the Sun, is to do something to commission this Gaunem dam, completed 7 years ago, and see its water reach the needy and deserving people living their lives in great difficulty in the terrains of the likes of Gaondongrim and Khotigao villages.
A 75-80-year-old man forced to carry water utensils over his head from the far-off located Well, is unfortunately a sad sight to the present youngster generation, in 77th year of our independence and 63 years of our Liberation. Is the government’s Har-Ghar Nal, Har Nal, Jal’ only a Chunavi jumla?’, asks Ex-Shristhal Sarpanch Pandrugang (Datta) Gaonkar.
Gaondongrim Panch Anand Gaonkar blamed Canacona MLA for his inability to obtain necessary NOCs for setting up the pumphouse, tanks, laying of pipelines and other related measures. ‘a Tank is already built but we are told that seven people are not giving their NOCs, and the government is not doing anything for the last 7 years holding the common people to ransom, and making them suffer for water needs’.
Vikas Bhagat, questioning the silence of the local MLA besides being a Minister in the past, is presently the Speaker of Goa LA, has called for burying the political differences and work to achieve, what has not been achieved for the last 10-12 years. “We are also ready to approach the 7 families who are allegedly holding the residents of the twin villages of Gaondongrim-Khotigao to ransom, by denying NOCs to set up Pump-House, OH Tanks, pipelines, etc. It shows the clear inability of the concerned officers of the concerned departments also in delivering to the people. We just simply can’t wait, and conveniently allow Gaunem Dam, constructed with crores of public money to remain a White elephant draining public money for years after years. ’Bhagat also appealed to the 7 landowners, to give their NOCs so that people begin to get water supply. Water is a primary need, without a water supply we cannot claim ‘Vikshit Bharat’.
Gaspar Coutinho informed that the newly elected MP Capt Viriato Fernandes will also be appraised about the incapability of the Goa government to commission the Gaunem Dam for seven long years, requesting him to take up the matter with the central government to provide immediate solutions for water woes of Gaondongrim and Khotigao’.
