Canacona Residents Protest Over Months-Long Water Crisis
Frustrated residents of Mastimol in Canacona, led by their ward councillor Pandurang (Dhiraj) Naik Gaonkar, took to the streets on Thursday in a dramatic protest against the ongoing water shortage that has plagued their community for months. The group marched to the office of PWD (water supply) assistant engineer Pradip Pagi, demanding immediate action and permanent solutions to their water supply problems.
The Root of the Problem: Elevation Challenges
During the confrontation at the PWD office, engineer Pradip Pagi explained the technical challenge behind the water crisis. The pumped water cannot reach its full flow capacity due to the higher elevation of the Mastimol area, creating distribution difficulties. Pagi offered some hope by assuring residents that those still connected to the old pipeline would be gradually shifted to the new water supply system, though he didn't provide a specific timeline for this transition.
Residents Voice Their Frustration and Suffering
Local residents shared how their situation has progressively worsened over recent months. What was once a reliable water supply has now completely stopped in many households, forcing families to struggle for their daily water needs. One female resident passionately questioned why their problem wasn't being treated as a priority, telling Pagi: "Only when someone suffers because of an erratic water supply will one understand the real difficulty."
Ward councillor Pandurang Naik Gaonkar revealed that he has repeatedly approached PWD officials about this critical issue but received no clear response or concrete action. Gaonkar has now issued an 8-day ultimatum to the PWD department, warning that if the water crisis isn't resolved within this timeframe, he will lead a morcha (protest march) to the main PWD office to escalate their demands.
The protest highlights the growing frustration among Canacona residents who have endured months of uncertainty and hardship due to the unreliable water supply. As the 8-day deadline ticks down, all eyes are on the PWD department to deliver on their promises and provide a permanent solution to Mastimol's water woes.
