PANAJI
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on Monday said the State government will provide 16,000 litres of water for free to households from September, adding that the scheme would benefit around 1.5 lakh houses in the State.
Speaking to the media on the free water scheme, Pauskar said PWD records have indicated there are 3.18 lakh water connections in the State to cater to a population of 19 lakh.
“Of 3.18 lakh water connections in the State, around 1.5 lakh connections use up to 16,000 litres of water. We have worked out the details of the scheme and will successfully implement it. Our reservoirs in the State have enough water to cater to an entire population,” said Pauskar.
“At present, there is a requirement of 600 MLD of water per day and 530 MLD water is treated per day. Within the next 7-8 months, the shortfall of 70 MLD of treated water will be resolved.”
“We are in the process of installing small water treatment plants to treat raw water,” the minister said.
Pauskar, however, did not elaborate on how much revenue Goa would stand to lose on account of the water scheme but was confident that the State would manage the funds.
Potholes
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar said with the rains having receded, the filling of potholes on roads would resume on a priority basis from Tuesday.
“Once the national highway work is completed in the first phase, issues related to the bad road will be resolved. We will get a top-quality road from Patradevi to Pollem,” said Pauskar.
Tar road at Dhudhasagar to reduce pollution: Pauskar
PANAJI
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar strongly backed the State government’s decision to construct a tarred road in the Wildlife sanctuary connecting the famed Dudhsagar waterfall.
“At present, we have a muddy road connecting the Dudhsagar waterfall. There are almost 300 tourist jeeps travelling on this road every day, creating dust pollution and oil spills in the two crossings over the river.”
“We have plans to construct causeways on these two crossings which will prevent spillage of pollutants into the river, as this water flows into the Opa water treatment plant,” said the minister.
Some NGOs have challenged the government’s decision to construct the road in the wildlife area.
25 MLD water treatment plant to be set up in Usgao
PANAJI
A 25 MLD water treatment plant will be set up in Usgao at a cost of Rs 57 crore and the foundation for the project will be laid in Ganjem before Ganesh Chaturthi.
This was stated by the health minister and local MLA when he chaired a meeting with officials from the PWD to discuss modalities to set up a 25 MLD water treatment plant for the village of Nagargao panchayat and to check the feasibility to further augment the plant at Dabos.
“Subsequently, the work order for 25 MLD water treatment plant at Usgao has already been issued as per the commitment given to our people. Through this initiative, every village in Usgao will receive piped water and an uninterrupted supply of water.”
“The cost of the project is Rs 57 crore and the foundation for the project will be laid in Ganjem before Ganesh Chaturthi,” said the health minister, while appreciating the efforts of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and PWD Deepak Pauskar for having fulfilling the demand of the people in Usgao and surrounding areas.
