Staff Reporter

Ponda

After almost six months, residents of Bethoda are facing water shortages yet again with most taps in the village running dry for the past 15 days.

After surveying the village panchayat area, it was found that villagers are struggling to get water for the day due to the closure of the newly laid line at Khanewal, Bethoda.

Bethoda, Codar, Konxem and Nirankal village panchayats in Ponda taluka is part of the Shiroda constituency and WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar is representing the area. Despite being a neighbouring village to the 143 MLD water treatment plant at Opa, over the past many years, Bethoda villagers have been suffering with water shortage issues especially during the month of April and May.

To ease their suffering, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar laid a 300 mm dia water pipeline in the village on November 2022 from Amigos to Bethoda thus increasing the water supply in the village. During the inauguration of the water line, Shirodkar assured the villagers that minimum 8 hours of water per day will be provided.

But recently the PWD has started road widening work of the Bethoda-Borim bypass road and the existing culvert at Khanewal area is being widened. While doing the work, the newly laid water lines have been shut from last month. This has reduced the water supply in the area and all villagers have been affected. The people are now dependent on tanker water, which is being supplied on alternate days. Some are borrowing water from industrial units in Bethoda IDC, while some are transporting water from the houses of their relatives.

Panaspani, Ghothawada, Chapalwada, Dattagad, Ashewada, Tavote, Kazarwada, Bondbag are the worst affected areas in Bethoda panchayat jurisdiction and locals from these area are requesting the government to look into the matter as early as possible.

With the temperature going up, water shortages in Bethoda have started increasing, and if rains are delayed by 10-15 days, people will have to fight for water, said a
villager.

Many villagers said that they have been visiting the office of the WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar frequently requesting him for proper water supply. During their visit, they are being assured about improving the supply but they are yet to receive proper water, locals informed.