For the second consecutive day, residents of Mormugao taluka in Goa were left without water supply from the Selaulim water treatment plant due to a technical snag, leaving taps dry. The crisis persisted on Saturday amid scorching heat and deficit monsoon rainfall.
Technical Snag and Restoration Efforts
Officials from the drinking water department confirmed that the snag, which developed in the valves at the Selaulim water treatment plant, was rectified late Friday evening. “Pumping operations started on Saturday morning, and water supply to the affected areas will be restored from Saturday midnight,” a PWD official stated.
Inadequate Alternative Arrangements
Locals criticized the department for failing to meet their requirements during the ongoing water crisis. Only one tanker was hired by authorities, and it did not reach all affected areas. Storage tank-cum-sumps maintained by the drinking water department also ran dry, exacerbating the situation.
Residents were forced to depend on private tankers, which exploited the crisis by charging Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per tanker of 7,000 to 9,000 litres. New Vaddem residents were among the worst hit. “The department should have taken enough care by making alternative arrangements to supply water to affected areas, but they failed. People were helpless as private tankers failed to reach, citing waste of time and loss of money,” alleged agitated resident Santosh Parab.
Allegations of Profiteering
Parab further alleged that private tanker operators diverted their tankers to housing complexes and apartments, where they earned double compared to other residential areas during the prevailing water crisis. Locals emphasized that the single hired tanker was insufficient and did not cover all affected zones.
