Goa, July 5 -- Residents of the Sankhali-Virdi area have been facing severe water shortages after a drinking water pipeline was damaged during BSNL telephone cable excavation work. The disruption has continued for nearly a week, forcing many families to depend on rainwater for their daily needs.

Locals allege the excavation was carried out without proper planning or coordination, even though the pipeline and road infrastructure were installed only a few years ago at significant public expense. They also opposed the contractor's alleged use of substandard materials for repairs, demanding a permanent solution.

Social activist Rajesh Saval questioned why completed infrastructure worth crores of rupees is repeatedly dug up for new projects,...