PANAJI
PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral has said that his department would try to provide a 24x7 water supply to the consumers in the future to fulfil the Chief Minister's dream.
Cabral made the statement while speaking at the 'Har Ghar Jal Utsav' at Panaji on Friday.
“In a few months or a year, through the projects initiated, we will try to provide 24x7 water supply to the consumers in the State. We have already initiated 85 MLD water treatment plant which will be commissioned shortly and work on another 160 MLD plant will also begin which will help achieve the target of the Chief Minister to provide 24 hours water supply,” Cabral stated and added that the target is also to ensure that one can drink water straight from the tap.
Cabral further rued that old water pipelines, laid 40-50 years back, are resulting in loss of water and sought help from the Centre in replacing the same.
He further assured that the State will soon achieve 100% ODF Plus and also promised to strengthen the sewerage network, which is lagging.
“The only issue is the availability of land, which is hindering the process. There is a need to relook into the land acquisition process,” he said.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Development Minister Subhash Shirodkar said he would work towards ensuring that for the next 25 years, the State does not fall short of water while also informing that rooftop water harvesting will be made mandatory for every plot that is going to be developed.
Further, Shirodkar said 150 lakes are going to be developed by 2023.
Stating that Mhadei is a lifestyle and lifeline of Goa, the minister urged that no upstream should be allowed. He also sought help from the Centre to strengthen the bundhs protecting the khazan lands, to give succour to the affected farmers.
