Team Goemkarponn
VELSAO: Villagers of Velsao, along with social worker Roquezinho D’Souza, have given the Public Works Department (PWD) an eight-day ultimatum to repair a major drinking water pipeline leak that has allegedly remained unattended for the past three months.
D’Souza claimed that lakhs of litres of treated drinking water have been flowing into nearby drains every day despite repeated representations to the authorities. He warned that if the leakage is not repaired within the stipulated period, he will write to the Chief Secretary seeking immediate intervention and action against the officials responsible for the delay.
Expressing concern over the continued wastage of potable water, D’Souza said it was ironic that citizens are constantly urged to conserve water while government departments have failed to prevent the loss of treated drinking water.
He alleged that the repair work has been delayed because one department is awaiting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from another, resulting in bureaucratic delays while the leakage continues unchecked.
“It is unfortunate that while the government appeals to citizens to conserve every drop of drinking water, lakhs of litres of treated water continue to be wasted because of bureaucratic delays. Instead of passing files from one office to another, the departments concerned should coordinate and resolve the issue on priority,” D’Souza said.
He urged the authorities to treat the matter as an emergency by issuing the necessary permissions without further delay and carrying out immediate repairs.
“The government cannot afford to remain a silent spectator when such a precious resource is being wasted. The leakage must be repaired at the earliest, and accountability should be fixed on those responsible for allowing this avoidable wastage to continue for months,” he added.
Residents have also expressed frustration over the prolonged leakage, saying the problem has remained visible for months despite repeated complaints. D’Souza said he expects prompt action from the PWD within the next eight days, failing which he will escalate the matter to the Chief Secretary.
