BICHOLIM
In a major step towards strengthening North Goa's drinking water infrastructure, the Rs 150 crore Amthane-Kuchelim 150 MLD Raw Water Conveyance Scheme will be inaugurated on Tuesday.
The ambitious project has been undertaken to meet the growing drinking water requirements of North Goa and will ensure an uninterrupted year-round supply of raw water to four major water treatment plants at Assonora, Pilerne, Porvorim and Assagao, thereby providing long-term water security to thousands of households.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will inaugurate the project in the presence of Union Minister Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar, MLAs Dr Chandrakant Shetye, Kedar Naik, Delilah Lobo, Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou, Chief Engineer Dnyaneshwar Salelkar, and other dignitaries.
“Providing every citizen of Goa with safe, clean and uninterrupted drinking water is the highest priority of our government. Keeping in view the future growth in population and development, we are continuously investing in major infrastructure projects to strengthen the State's water security,” said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“The Amthane-Kuchelim Raw Water Conveyance Scheme is not merely an engineering achievement but a strong assurance of water security for future generations. It is yet another significant milestone towards building a Viksit Goa.”
The Amthane-Kuchelim 150 MLD Raw Water Conveyance project is considered a milestone in Goa's water infrastructure as it will provide uninterrupted raw water supply throughout the year to the Assonora, Pilerne, Porvorim and Assagao Water Treatment Plants, ensuring a reliable drinking water supply across North Goa.
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said rapid urbanisation, industrial growth and expansion of infrastructure in recent years have led to a substantial increase in the demand for drinking water across the State.
Until now, the raw water supply depended on the open canal of the Tillari Irrigation Project, which frequently faced disruptions due to annual maintenance, canal breaches, emergency repairs and mechanical failures, affecting drinking water supply to the public. To permanently overcome these challenges, the government has established an independent 150 MLD Raw Water Conveyance Scheme.
Speaking further, the chief minister said the government is investing to make Goa's water supply system more robust, modern and reliable.
With this project in place, North Goa's major water treatment plants will continue to receive uninterrupted raw water even during canal maintenance, emergency situations, canal breaches or unexpected technical problems.
“The project will play a vital role in strengthening the State's long-term water security and will emerge as a historic milestone in North Goa's development by meeting the drinking water needs of its growing population,” Sawant added.
