PANAJI
Nearly a year after malfunctioning gates at Amthane Dam deepened the water crisis in Bardez this January, the Water Resources Department (WRD) is finally moving to replace them, albeit without issuing a tender.
Starting Tuesday, a Hyderabad-based company, handpicked by the department, will begin a two-month-long process to replace the faulty gates. Sources told The Goan that the first step will be draining the dam in phases, which is expected to take about 15 days. Installation of two new gates ” a service gate and an emergency gate ” will follow.
The WRD failed to release water from the dam in January when Bardez was reeling from severe water shortage. The left-bank canal of the Tillari reservoir had breached, prompting officials to fall back on Amthane. But the dam’s gates were jammed, delaying water supply to the Assonora treatment plant by five days.
Sources added that the concerned WRD engineers were reportedly aware for over six months that the gates were deteriorating, but repairs were allegedly not prioritized.
Meanwhile, officials said that a temporary bundh will be constructed as part of the present project, which extends the timeline to about two months.
Asked about the possible water storage, the source revealed that water from the Sal reservoir will be treated at the Amthane treatment plant. Amthane Dam supplies water to Bardez, Pernem, and Bicholim talukas. “There are alternative arrangements too and with ongoing rains, it will prevent shortages,” the official added.
The existing gates -- reportedly unused for several years, possibly since installation -- failed when monsoon overflow had to be released in June-July 2024. Engineers said proper upkeep, including regular greasing of the nut-and-bolt system, could have prevented the corrosion. The WRD engineer previously in charge of the dam retired recently, after receiving two extensions.
A senior official admitted that the gates should be operated at least once every three months to ensure functionality.
