PANAJI: The Tillari Irrigation Project, a collaborative venture between the governments of Goa and Maharashtra, is grappling with significant challenges in its canal network, risking the supply of water for both irrigation and drinking purposes in Goa.
The project, which draws water from a dam located in Maharashtra, allocates 68% of its storage capacity to Goa, amounting to 327.40 million cubic meters (MCM). Of this, 207.61 MCM is reserved for irrigation and 119.79 MCM for drinking water. Despite its vital role in meeting the state's water needs, the canal infrastructure, constructed over three decades ago, has aged poorly and is ill-equipped to handle continuous operation.
In response to these concerns, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, WRD Min Subhash Shirodkar with officials from the WRD inspected the ongoing work. The state government has prioritized the redesign and reinforcement of the Left Bank Main Canal and Right Bank Main Canal, which span over 100 kilometres.
Frequent breaches and seepages due to weak canal linings have disrupted water supply across the state, with water treatment plants in Assonora, Porvorim, Pilerne, Chandel, Mopa, and Dhargal bearing the brunt of these interruptions. The absence of a fixed maintenance schedule has further worsened the issue, as authorities are forced to shut down water flow for two months annually to carry out repairs. This temporary halt causes widespread inconvenience, leaving residents and agricultural activities without a dependable water source.
In a bid to address these issues, the state govt has initiated several to strengthen the canal network and ensuring an uninterrupted water supply. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has prioritised the redesign and reinforcement of the Left Bank Main Canal and Right Bank Main Canal, which together span over 100 kilometres. The Water Resources Department has allocated Rs 128.01 crore for this effort, with over Rs 68 crore already spent on critical repairs and upgrades.
To tackle the long-term need for a dependable water source, a barrage is being constructed across the Chapora River at Sal in Bicholim. This Rs 281 crore project will store 65 lakh cubic meters of water, providing a crucial backup supply while also addressing issues like salinity ingress and monsoon flooding. The barrage, expected to be completed by December 2025, will also feature a motorable bridge to improve connectivity between Pernem and Bicholim.
Complementing the barrage is a comprehensive Rs 336 crore plan to supply 250 MLD of raw water to treatment plants across North Goa. The initiative includes the construction of pumping stations, pipelines, and a gated weir on the Kalna River, designed to regulate water flow and maintain uninterrupted supply during maintenance periods.
Since 2022, the state government has invested over Rs 627 crore in modernizing water infrastructure, a move seen as crucial to addressing the state's growing water demands. While significant progress has been made, including the near-completion of several key components by mid 2025
