PANAJI
The Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Tuesday announced the commissioning of new 100-MLD water plant at Selaulim on May 22, which would cater to South Goa district.
Announcing the completion of the work on the plant, Dhavalikar said water would be supplied to entire area of South Goa. “Pipelines of 1,400 mm dia and 300 mm dia have been laid to cater to all parts of South Goa. The pipelines from Verna to Margao have already been laid but only need to be cleaned, which would be done in the next few days. The 100-MLD water plant would be supplying water from Sanguem to Mormugao taluka,” Dhavalikar said.
Other works including bifurcation and reservoir works are also underway and is expected to be completed by March 2017. Dhavalikar said the work under JICA was meant to be completed this year but due to several factors had to be postponed.
Speaking about the alleged shortfall of water in the State, the minister said there was no such deficit adding that it was felt due to the presence of tourists in the State but revealed plans of remedying the situation.
“We have no shortfall of water at all in the dams. The shortfall was felt due to the presence of the tourists. We supply 140-MLD from the Opa plant on a regular basis. An additional of 28-MLD would be added of which the work is underway and will be completed by December,” he said adding that with this, the areas of Tiswadi and Ponda would not face any water shortage.
He also added that 20-MLD plant at Mysal was also nearing completion and would be functional by October. After this, 10-MLD which is being supplied to Shiroda would be diverted to Ponda and Tiswadi area as well.
“To improve water to areas of Valpoi and Pali we have started work of 25-MLD plant at Ganjem but are in the process of getting forest clearance. Work has already started with laying of pipeline at Priol which will be completed by end of May,” said Dhavalikar.
For the construction rich area of Kadamba Plateau, the minister estimated a total of 10-MLD would be required in the years to come but provisions to provide 5-MLD has been made at the moment.
Speaking on water issues at the Goa Medical College (GMC), the minister said it was necessary for the hospital to have a 24-hour water supply but attributed to man-made wastage as the reason behind the shortfall.
“As such there are three departments catering to the water supply at the facility: Water Resources Department (WRD), PWD and the Goa State Industrial Development Corporation (GSIDC). The problem however lies in the patient and those that use the toilets, when they keep the taps open if the water doesn’t come. This is left open even after the water is pumped to the overhead tanks and causes unnecessary wastage of water,” he said.
The remedy is to increase the amount of water being supplied through pipelines from Verna to Agassaim.
