PANAJI
In what could bring a major sigh of relief to the people of Porvorim and Saligao area, the Tillari canal water has been finally released into Goa on Wednesday, after a gap of almost 45 days. However, regular water supply to the residence will commence mostly from Thursday evening or Friday morning.
The 15MLD plant in Porvorim has been shut down since November due to stoppage of raw water from Tillari. The inter-State Tillari Irrigation project was shut since November 13 to undertake the repairs and maintenance of the canal, gates and other dam related infrastructure.
Despite completion of the Tillari canal repair work on December 22, the raw water from the canal was not released till Tuesday, due to a glitch in the gates of the dam of the Tillari reservoir in Maharashtra.
“Water supply in the canal has now been restored on December 27, 2023, at 5.40 am early morning after stopping of water about one month and 14 days,” the WRD said in a statement released.
“Water has travelled about 8 kms and is likely to enter Goa border at Dodamarg and raw water supply is estimated to reach Guirim pumping station by Thursday evening i.e. December 28, 2023 and thereafter the raw water supply to the storage tank will commence,” the department added.
WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar said that although attempts were made to ensure that the water supply is uninterrupted, scarcity was faced during certain period but now with the resumption of water supply from Tillari project, scarcity will be over.
“After this work, there will be no reason to take up the work of lining of the canal for the next 10 to 15 years,” Shirodkar said.
Since November, the water is supplied on alternate days to Porvorim and Saligao areas however, the supply being insufficient the citizens have expressed their anger. People are forced to opt for tankers to overcome the shortfall.
The department said that during the last one month, it has initiated capital works and completed strengthening and lining of canals from Goa border. Strengthening of canal for length of 4.50 kms stands completed on the Left Bank Main Canal which feeds Assonora, Porvorim water treatment plant. And similarly strengthening about 5 kms is completed on the Right Bank Main Canal feeding Water Treatment Plant at Chandel towards Mopa Airport.
The State of Maharashtra has also taken up minor maintenance and repairs at critical stretches near Village Maneri and other locations for about 2 to 3 kms in Maharashtra, maintenance of the Gating Control Systems are also completed.
