Panaji: In the petition concerning the illegal digging of borewells in Chimbel, which has led to a water shortage, the project director of the JICA project, who is holding charge as chief engineer of the department of drinking water, Goa govt, submitted a reply to the high court. He stated that a major portion of Dharwadkar Colony is located at a higher altitude compared to surrounding areas. Because of this, it is not covered by the existing water distribution network.Chief engineer Vishwamber Bhende said in an affidavit submitted to the high court that due to the elevation, it is not feasible to provide water supply to the colony from the current network. He stated that the dept is committed to upgrading the existing supply system and providing a water distribution network to all legal structures and premises, and initiated a proposal to provide water supply to Dharwadkar Colony vicnity.The proposal is currently under process for administrative approval, he stated, adding that the department will require approximately 12 to 18 months to complete the entire process of administrative approval, tendering, and expenditure sanction from govt, and to execute the work.He added that Dharwadkar Colony is very densely populated, but the legality of the structures is not known to the department. He stated that he sought information from the Chimbel sarpanch regarding the number of houses/structures and their legality, and is awaiting a reply.He added that regulating, permitting, and sealing borewells is under the administrative control of the water resources department and not the drinking water department.At the court hearing on Tuesday, the high court observed that nobody represented the Chimbel panchayat in HC and stated that the writ petition will proceed ex parte against it.
