PANAJI
Residents across large parts of South Goa are set to face temporary disruptions in power and water supply over the next few days as authorities plan to shut down utility plants to undertake critical maintenance and infrastructure upgrade works.
First, a power shutdown is scheduled on Saturday, and electricity supply will remain suspended from 6 am to 7 am to facilitate urgent maintenance at the Verna 33kV/11kV sub-station.
Areas likely to be affected include Vasco, Cortalim, Sancoale, Velsao, Cansaulim, Majorda, Utorda, Betalbatim, Nuvem, Verna, Nagoa, Pirni, Fatorda and Monte Hill in Margao.
Officials, however, said domestic consumers may experience outages for only a couple of hours.
A more prolonged water supply disruption is expected from Monday as the 100 MLD Salaulim Water Treatment Plant at Xelpem will remain completely shut for 24 hours from 7 am on September 7 to undertake interconnection works with an additional 100 MLD treatment facility.
The shutdown is expected to affect water supply across a vast stretch of South Goa, including Sanguem, Sanvordem, Quepem, Margao, Fatorda, Raia, Loutolim, Cansaulim, Nagoa, Cuncolim, Curtorim, Nuvem, Cortalim, Dabolim, Vasco and Mormugao.
Officials warned that the impact could extend beyond the 24-hour shutdown. Water supply in tail-end areas, particularly Cortalim, Dabolim, Vasco and Mormugao, may take up to two additional days to return to normal due to the time required for pipeline recharging and pressure stabilisation.
Officials said residents in the affected areas are advised to store adequate water in advance and use it sparingly during the disruption.
Officials, however, stressed that the main 160 MLD Salaulim Water Treatment Plant will continue operating throughout the maintenance period, helping minimise the overall impact on consumers.
