ASSAGAO, Feb. 23 -- ERWIN FONSECA

Exactly a year ago, the foundation for a water treatment plant at Sonarkhet, Assagao, was laid by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, assuring the residents of Anjuna, Assagao and Siolim that within a few months water scarcity issue would be a thing of the past. However, the project, which is yet to become a reality, has worsened the situation in Assagao's Badem ward with the villagers forced to depend on the old manual hand pumps to fetch water.

When summer is at its peak, the people are compelled to undergo further hardship as there is a beeline to fetch water at the site.

The chief minister had also assured that once the plant is commissioned, those residing in the areas located at the tail end of the pip...