PONDA: Despite being on the banks of Mhadei river, taps have been running dry in some Usgao villages. Locals from Udiwada, here have been greatly inconvenienced due to lack of water supply to them for the past four days. The situation is so bad that they have to rely on the tanker water provided for migrant labourers in the area by their contractor.
Other areas affected by the water shortage in Usgao panchayat are Paalwada, Paachawada, Tambdihat and Vadbag. Since the labourers bathe near the tanker in the evening, locals have to wait till night to fill their vessels. Some women, including senior citizens, were seen carrying water till late night on Wednesday.
Palwada too is not receiving water regularly for the past few days despite it being in close proximity to the Opa Water Works plant.
Locals have decided to question the candidates regarding their promise to resolve the water issues when they approach them for votes during the Lok Sabha election’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Usgao panch Manisha Usgaonkar arranged water tankers for her ward. “The government spends lakhs of rupees to organise various programmes and the authorities are misleading people with the speeches of Viksit Bharat. PWD Minister and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as well as local MLA Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane have completely ignored the people of Usgao. There is a need to arrange atleast water tankers for people,” said Usgaonkar.
Caption: Women from Udiwada carry water late at night from tankers.