Normal supply to Porvorim expected by evening today
MAPUSA
After 10 days of extensive repair work, the damaged Tillari canal on the Maharashtra side has been restored, allowing water to flow back to Goa from Monday afternoon.
The development has brought much-needed relief to residents of Bardez, who faced acute water shortages during the disruption for the last several days.
However, residents of Porvorim will have to wait until Tuesday evening for the water supply to normalise, as the restoration process requires a gradual increase in pressure.
Minister for Water Resources Subhash Shirodkar, confirmed the completion of the repair work and the resumption of water supply at a regulated pressure.
“Water from the Tillari dam has been released at a controlled pace as per technical requirements. People in Porvorim can expect normal supply by Tuesday evening,” Shirodkar stated.
The breach which occurred on January 24 at Kudase-Dodamarg in Maharashtra had severely affected water supply in North Goa, particularly in Bardez taluka, including Mapusa and Porvorim.
Some areas went without drinking water for four consecutive days, forcing residents to rely on water tankers, which were often unavailable due to high demand.
Shirodkar acknowledged the significant impact of the disruption, stating that even a single day’s stoppage of Tillari’s supply causes widespread inconvenience.
In response, the government is working on a long-term solution to prevent future crises, he said.
“We are constructing barrages to ensure sufficient water storage, which can sustain supply for up to a month in case of another disruption,” he said.
However, these plans are for the future and will take at least a few years to materialize.
“I pray that there are no such incidents (breach of canal) occur in the near future,” Shirodkar said.
He also reassured that the Goa side of the canal is well-maintained, minimising the risk of breaches or seepage. Additionally, measures such as patrolling have been suggested to prevent potential issues.
Addressing concerns about the deteriorating condition of the canal in Maharashtra, Shirodkar revealed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has already urged his Maharashtra counterpart to address the situation and ensure proper maintenance of the infrastructure.
With repairs now completed, authorities are optimistic that the situation will return to normal soon, alleviating the hardships faced by the people of Bardez and other affected areas.
