PANAJI
As some parts of North Goa continue to reel under the water crisis, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo made an urgent appeal to the government to set up a systematic plan to revive the water bodies across the State in a bid to meet the increasing demand for water.
He also pointed out the rapid rise in floating population by way of tourism and industries, which are adding to the pressure on the existing requirement.
“We should bring experts and former engineers on board along with the sitting Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Pramod Badami to find ways to tackle the water shortage. How the ponds and other water bodies can be revived to overcome the shortage should also be thought over,” he told reporters in response to the acute water shortage in the coastal belt till parts of Porvorim.
He further claimed that the entire district is facing a severe water crisis due to a breach in Tillari Canal, which supplies raw water. “It has affected places from Morjim to Reis Magos,” he added.
Reiterating the need for a long-term plan to resolve this water issue in North Goa, he suggested methods to be used on the lines of the Waste Treatment Plant, which resolved the garbage issue.
“With the rise in demand from hotels and industries, and while we talk about boosting employment opportunities, we need to plan today for the future. Remember the words of experts. If wars of last century were fought over oil, wars of this century would be fought over water - unless we change our approach to managing this precious and vital resource,” Lobo said.
