SURAJ NANDREKAR Even as the people of South Goa are facing hardships for water, the Public Works Department seems to be moving at the snails pace in the implementation of the Rs 1031 crore JICA project. The State has already delayed by one year in the appointment of the consultant for the project. The purpose of the JICA (Japanese International Credit Agency) project is to expand and rehabilitate water supply facilities in order to increase the capacity of the water supply system that takes water from the Salaulim Dam to Mormugao, Salcete, Quepem and part of Sanguem in southern Goa. The project, which is totally funded by the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation for a negligible interest rate, will also newly construct and expand sewerage facilities in Margao city, Mapusa city and North Coastal Belt However, for unknown reasons the state seems to be dragging its feet on the project ever since it was signed on September 14 2007. According to the agreement the project has to finish by 2014. The agreement also says that the State has to finalise a consultant by May 2008, but the same has been appointed in June this year. The agreement also said that the consultant would submit the estimate and detailed design by May 2009.