Water scarcity solution for Mormugao by April: Min

Minister for the Department of Drinking Water Subhash Phal Dessai speaks in the Assembly on Monday.

MAPUSA
Minister for the Department of Drinking Water (DDW) Subhash Phal Dessai on Monday informed the Goa Legislative Assembly that a Rs 443-crore water infrastructure project aimed at resolving chronic water scarcity in Mormugao is nearing completion and is expected to be ready by April.
Replying to a question raised by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, the minister said the project includes laying of new pipelines, installation of pumping stations and creation of a dedicated reservoir, and is 70 per cent complete. “In another four months, we will give sufficient water to Mormugao. New pipelines have been laid, and new pumping stations are being installed,” Phal Dessai said.
The minister stated that Mormugao’s current water requirement is about 12 million litres per day (MLD), while the total demand of the taluka stands at 81 MLD. He admitted that the taluka continues to face water problems, particularly because it is located at a higher altitude.
Phal Dessai attributed recent disruptions in the water supply to breakdowns in the existing pipeline, which is around 35 years old and prone to frequent failures. “There were two breakdowns this month due to which the water supply had to be halted,” he said, adding that the government is taking steps to address the issue.
Raising concerns on the floor of the House, Amonkar said residents, especially those living at the tail end of the constituency, were receiving water for barely an hour early in the morning, around 6.30 am. He pointed out that even school-going children were forced to spend time filling water in containers due to the scarcity. “The problem becomes more severe during festival periods,” Amonkar said.
Referring to the government’s assurance of 12 hours of water supply, Amonkar said, “We don’t need water for 12 hours. At least give us water for three hours a day.”
Phal Dessai also informed the House that additional major water infrastructure works are underway to ensure an uninterrupted, regular and sufficient water supply to Mormugao constituency, the entire taluka and other parts of South Goa. These works, expected to be completed by September 2026, include expansion of the existing Salauli Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Xelpem with an additional capacity of 100 MLD, construction of 20,000 cubic metre Master Balancing Reservoirs (MBRs) at Sirvoi and Verna, replacement of the existing 200 mm diameter PSC pipeline with a 1,200 mm diameter MS pipeline from Margao to the Verna pumping station, and replacement of the 900 mm PSC pipeline with a 1,000 mm MS pipeline from Verna MBR to Dabolim.
The project also involves providing mechanical and electrical infrastructure at the new Verna pumping station, along with an additional 1,000 mm diameter MS pumping main, and setting up an 800 kWp solar photovoltaic power plant at Xelpem.
The minister said these measures are expected to significantly strengthen the water supply system and put an end to recurring water shortages in Mormugao and surrounding areas.