MARGAO
Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar has mulled increasing the height of the Selaulim dam, South Goa’s water lifeline, and building 4-5 new small dams across the State to conserve water resources to take care of the State’s water requirements for the next 20-30 years.
Stating that he is committed to save and conserve the water resources from river Mhadei, Chapora and Zuari, just to name a few, Shirodkar said the new measures proposed by the WRD will ensure that Goans will not be starved of water for the next three decades.
“Our WRD engineers have conducted a study over the last six months how to conserve the water resources and ensure people get drinking water and water for irrigation. The study has suggested raising the height of the Selaulim dam”, he said, while addressing an agriculture programme at Chinchinim on Monday.
He added: “When water was released for irrigation by the WRD in December last year, water at the Selaulim dam went down by two meters, wherein lakhs of litres of water meant for drinking was consumed for irrigation. The WRD has decided to strike a balance between demands for drinking water and for irrigation. Hence, it has been decided to increase the height of the Selaulim dam”.
The WRD Minister said new small dams have been proposed at Valpoi, Dharbandora, Bicholim and at Shiroda to conserve water resources. ‘Next two years, the WRD will take up 4-5 new small dams, including one at Cajumol-Dharbandor and in my village. If everything goes well, the foundation stone for the Cajumoll-Dharbandora dam will be laid in December 2023 and the dam should be ready within two years”, he added.
Saying the WRD has also decided to revive the dam project in Valpoi-Sattari which was abandoned because of forest clearance, Shirodkar said the Rs 200 crore project is proposed at Sal, Bicholim which will take care of water requirements of entire Pernem taluka, which does not get water round the year.
This dam will provide additional 200-300MLD of water to the taluka”, he said.
Saying the WRD is working on a plan to conserve water resources, Shirodkar said small water bodies, nallahs, springs etc will be taken up for development. “We are moving in the right direction to implement the Centre’s scheme for development of 150 water bodies in Goa, 75 water bodies in each district. Several water bodies have already been identified and work has commenced at these water bodies”, he added.
