Mapusa Water Well Restoration Halted As Illegal Compound Wall Obstructs Site Access
The ₹8.9 lakh public well restoration project in Mapusa has come to a standstill after a neighbouring compound wall, allegedly constructed without municipal approval, blocked access to the site. Initiated by the Water Resources Department, the restoration was critical to reviving a well used by local families for drinking water. However, the obstruction has delayed the project just as the monsoon peaks, leaving residents anxious about losing a vital water source during a crucial season.
The well, located in a densely populated part of Mapusa, has historically served as a supplementary water source for several households. It had partially caved in during the previous monsoon, raising safety concerns. As a temporary safety measure, the WRD had secured the area with rubble. With water scarcity and source sustainability becoming pressing issues, the department had prioritised its revival, floating a tender and issuing a work order in March this year. However, when the contractor and officials from WRD visited the site to commence work, they were confronted by the presence of a compound wall built in close proximity to the well. The wall not only blocks the movement of machinery and labourers but has also complicated the excavation and restoration design, making safe access virtually impossible.
Preliminary inspections revealed that the wall was allegedly constructed by a government official who had not sought prior permission from the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC). The WRD has since filed an official complaint with the MMC, calling for immediate action to remove the obstruction and allow work to resume on the water supply infrastructure. An on-site verification by the Chief Officer of the Mapusa council confirmed the unauthorised nature of the wall. In response, the council issued a show-cause notice to the resident in question under Section 184(2) of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968, citing encroachment and construction without prior approval. The notice requires the individual to respond within 15 days and appear for a personal hearing scheduled for July 13. While the legal process moves forward, the project remains suspended. For the families depending on the well—many of whom cannot afford regular tanker water or face inconsistent municipal supply—the delay is both frustrating and anxiety-inducing.
With the monsoon advancing, concerns over waterlogging, contamination, and the possible weakening of the compromised structure have resurfaced.
Urban planners and water resource experts have called the situation emblematic of wider challenges in balancing private land rights with public infrastructure needs. Without robust enforcement of building codes and strict municipal oversight, such incidents could become commonplace, affecting not only timelines but also long-term sustainability.
