MAPUSA
The PWD announced on Monday that water supply to Bardez will be significantly restricted due to a breach in the Tillari canal at Kudase in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
The disruption is expected to affect seven constituencies within Bardez until the raw water supply from the canal can be restored. The breach has halted the flow of raw water from the Tillari canal to key water treatment plants at Assonora and Porvorim, which serve as the primary sources of treated water for Bardez.
In a public notice, the PWD’s Executive Engineer warned that water supply timings to various localities within Bardez might be altered or changed depending on the available treated water levels at these plants.
“The water supply timings to various localities of Bardez may be altered or changed depending upon the treated water levels at the plants,” the notice stated, urging residents to prepare for possible disruptions in their daily water supply.
The breach, reported at Kudase in Sindhudurg district, has raised concerns about the stability of the over 30-year-old Tillari canal, a crucial infrastructure that has long been a lifeline for water supply in parts of Goa.
The PWD has not provided a specific timeline for when the breach will be fully repaired and normal water supply restored, leaving many in Bardez uncertain about how long the restrictions will last.
Despite these concerns, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar had previously assured the public that the breach would not affect the water supply in the State.
However, the current situation indicates otherwise, as residents across Bardez brace for the impact of restricted water access.
Shirodkar also mentioned that the Maharashtra government plans to float a tender for canal repair work estimated at Rs 250 crore and the Goa government is expected to contribute its share to this extensive repair project.
The Tillari canal has been a vital source of water for Bardez and surrounding areas, supplying raw water to the treatment plants that ensure a steady flow of potable water to thousands of households.
With the canal out of commission, the PWD is now faced with the challenging task of managing water distribution with limited resources.
