Navhind Times

Panaji, June 4: After nearly three days, Panaji residents had a sigh of relief as the PWD released water in a phased manner to different localities to cover the entire Panaji and surrounding areas.

Though the PWD Friday said that the water will be released as usual on Saturday morning, several residents were shocked to see their taps remaining dry on the fourth day. However, the PWD dispatched their workers to various localities to inform the residents about the water releasing time to the areas.

With the distribution of water in phased manner the PWD covered entire Panaji and surrounding areas, which were badly affected since last three days.

Secretary (PWD) Santosh Vaidya has in a press note issued here said that in view of unprecedented torrential rainfall leading to the landslide at Indiranagar, Chimbel on the night of May 30 four joints of the 750 mm dia C I conveying main supplying water to Panjim city and surrounding areas got dislocated, thereby paralysing the water supply to Panjim city and surrounding areas. Besides, a big concrete pedestal supporting the pipeline also got dislocated.

Vaidya said though the rectification work was taken up immediately but the work was hampered due to continuous heavy rain, the slushy area and the flowing water coming from the adjacent hillside. Inadequate access to site for required machinery and equipments also hampered the progress of work, he said.

Stating that in spite of these difficulties, Vaidya said the restoration of the pipeline was attended and was completed on June 1 afternoon and water was released from Opa through the conveying main.

However, due to immediate heavy rains received prior to setting of concrete the pipe joints gave away and thereafter all the work was reset and was attended once again by deploying manpower and machinery round the clock. The concreting operation was completed on the night of June 2 at around 8 pm. After allowing setting for 3 hours the water was released slowly from Opa Water Treatment plant from 11 pm onwards.

On account of initial problems at Curti the supply was shifted to other parallel conveying main. Water was received at Altinho tank at 6 am on June 3 after filling the water tanks at Altinho to some extent, the zone wise supply is resumed from 8.30 am onwards.

Vaidya said the inconvenience caused to the people was on account of natural calamity and he regretted for it. He said all section of people had acknowledged the problem and extended their co-operation during this natural calamity.