BICHOLIM
Reaffirming the State government's commitment to ensuring safe, clean and uninterrupted drinking water for every citizen, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Rs 150 crore Amthane–Cunchelim 150 MLD Raw Water Transmission Project, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening North Goa's water security.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said providing reliable drinking water to every household remains one of the State government's highest priorities.
“Water security forms the foundation of Goa's overall development. The government has been working systematically over the past seven years to make Goa completely self-reliant in water management. Taking into account future population growth, rapid urbanisation, tourism, industrial expansion and agricultural requirements, the State has prepared a comprehensive water policy with a vision for the next three decades,” said Sawant.
Sawant described the Amthane–Cunchelim Raw Water Transmission Project as not merely an engineering achievement but a long-term guarantee of water security for future generations.
He noted that the government's consistent investments in the water sector over the last seven years are now yielding tangible results through projects such as this.
Referring to the State's previous dependence on the Tillari Project, Sawant said whenever the canal developed cracks or faced technical problems, several parts of North Goa were left without water supply for 10-15 days.
“To permanently address this issue, the government decided to establish an alternative raw water transmission system. The new project will lift raw water from the Amthane reservoir and transport it to various water treatment plants, ensuring uninterrupted supply even during emergencies,” he said.
The chief minister further announced that the pumping station at Sal will be completed within the next four months, after which Sal and surrounding areas will receive an improved and more reliable water supply.
He highlighted that the project will not ensure uninterrupted year-round supply of raw water to four major water treatment plants at Assonora, Pilerne, Porvorim and Assagao, thereby providing long-term water security to thousands of households, but also the industrial and agricultural sectors.
He said adequate availability of raw water will support industrial growth, generate employment opportunities and ensure water availability for farming.
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said the Amthane Project is an excellent example of long-term water planning and expressed happiness that Goa's dream of becoming self-sufficient in water management is steadily becoming a reality.
He stated that the project will supply a total of 150 MLD of raw water, comprising 100 MLD to the Assonora Water Treatment Plant, 30 MLD to Pilerne, 15 MLD to Porvorim and 5 MLD to Sangolda, significantly strengthening North Goa's water distribution network.
Ministers Rohan Khaunte and Nilkanth Halarnkar also welcomed the project, stating that the availability of Amthane water in their respective constituencies would eliminate long-standing water shortages.
Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye described the scheme as a model water management project that would significantly help quench North Goa's growing water demand.
During the programme, the Chief Minister felicitated engineers and contractors associated with the project. Chief Engineer Dnyaneshwar Salelkar presented the technical details of the scheme.
