PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has recommended completing the construction of the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Assagao and augmentation of the WTP at Assonora by December-end, one of the measures to resolve the water crisis.
The Commission is hearing into a suo-motu plea regarding the shortage of water in Majorda, Calata, Chapora, Assagao and Anjuna. During the last hearing, the Commission also issued a notice to the Principal Chief Engineer of the PWD to reply on the matter.
The Commission, during the hearing on Tuesday, considered the report of the PWD which stated that the affected areas of Majorda, Calata and Utorda, are at the tail end of the system and many of the houses have metallic (GI) connections which are very old and corroded.
The findings revealed that this is the main reason for low supply while adding that the department offered to lay common pipelines to ease the problem of four houses but due to some local dispute, the matter was pending.
In respect of the water supply at Chapora, Assagao and Anjuna, the PWD stated that they are in the process of constructing the WTP at Assagao and augmentation of the Assonora WTP by 30 MLD, which are to be completed by December 2024.
The Commission of Acting Chairperson Desmond D’Costa and Member Pramod Kamat thereafter recommended that the works be completed within the deadline set.
“As water is a basic necessity and a human right of the citizens, the Commission considers the need for making recommendations for resolving the shortage of water faced by the villagers in these areas...the Commission recommends that the Respondent (PWD) facilitate the villagers in the said areas for replacement of service connection through UPVC pipelines, in place of the existing metallic (GI) pipelines, within 60 days from today,” it said, adding, “In respect of the areas of Assagao, Chapora and Anjuna, the work on construction of 5.6 MLD WTP at Sonarkhed, Assagao and augmentation of Assonora WTP by 30 MLD be completed by the end of December.”
