Delay in Action Against 60 Illegal Borewells in Chimbel Raises Concerns

Panaji: The much-awaited action against 60 illegal borewells at Chinchwada, Chimbel has been delayed as the water resources department (WRD) has called off the operation to seal the unauthorised wells.
WRD officials were in for a surprise when an inspection on Jan 7 related to Chimbel-based activist Ana Gracias’ complaint about an illegal borewell at Dharwadkar Colony led to the discovery of 69 more illegal ones.
The unearthing of large-scale illegal groundwater tapping consequently kicked up a lot of dust and the WRD minister came on record to declare that the owners would be slapped with a fine. TOI had reported the illegal groundwater tapping issue on Feb 10.
“I was informed that the sealing would not be initiated only on the day it was supposed to be done,” Gracias told TOI.
Several residents in the colony had no tap water supply and had allegedly resorted to digging bore wells without any technical clearance from the WRD.
The officials also caught people red-handed filling two water tankers for commercial supply. Allegations were rife that groundwater was being illegally transported by a few owners for commercial uses.
More than three months have passed since the WRD’s inspection. The sealing was to be done for 60 bore wells in Dharwadkar Colony, while the remaining 10 are in nearby areas.
Sinking of bore wells and transportation of water without the permission of the groundwater officer is a violation of Sections 5(3) & 6(1) of the Goa Ground Water Act, 2002 and Rules, 2003.
The first offence for digging a bore well and transportation attracts a fine that may extend to Rs 5 lakh, and the second one up to Rs 10 lakh, the notice stated.
Old Goa police found an illegal borewell after the activist complained on Dec 17, but as no action was initiated, she soon petitioned WRD on Dec 26.