MAPUSA
A major disruption in the drinking water supply to Panaji and surrounding villages has once again thrown the spotlight on the fragile and ageing water infrastructure in the State.
On Monday, a vital main pipeline connected to the Opa Water Treatment Plant burst, forcing Public Works Department (PWD) officials to rush to the site and initiate emergency repair works.
The incident affected hundreds of households in the capital city and other areas that depend on the Opa plant for daily water supply.
While the PWD managed to partially restore supply within 24 hours, officials admitted that full normalcy may take another day or two, depending on pressure stabilisation.
This is the third major pipeline burst in just over two months.
Last week, a 1000 mm diameter pipeline supplying water to the coastal village of Anjuna was damaged, leaving the popular beachside village parched for nearly five days.
In April, several villages in Sattari taluka were left without water for more than three days after a pipeline connected to the Dabos water treatment plant cracked.
PWD sources concede that many of the pipelines in the State are outdated and vulnerable to bursts due to wear and tear, shifting terrain and increased pressure during peak supply periods.
“Some of the pipelines still in use today date back to the pre-liberation era. These steel and cast iron pipelines have far exceeded their expected lifespan,” said a senior engineer in the PWD on condition of anonymity.
The department, he added, is forced to frequently carry out patchwork repairs due to budgetary constraints and lack of long-term replacement plans.
“We have submitted proposals to upgrade entire pipeline grids in high-risk areas, but funding and procedural delays hold back implementation,” the official said.
A former chief engineer of PWD noted that the lack of preventive maintenance is a key reason for such recurring failures.
“These pipelines are not just old but are also not regularly monitored for stress points. With the kind of rainfall Goa receives and the water demand peaking in summer and tourist season, pressure surges often lead to ruptures,” the ex-CE explained.
In recent years, the State government has routinely announced new infrastructure projects and water supply augmentation plans in its budget speeches.
However, critics argue that the rhetoric has not translated into tangible improvements on the ground.
When contacted, a senior PWD engineer confirmed the recent pipeline failures and said measures are being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply in the future. “Our field teams are on high alert and ready to respond to emergencies round the clock,” he said.
