₹13-crore rejuvenation for Kesarval spring amid pollution concerns

Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar informed the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that the project proposal has been prepared and the tendering process is expected to commence within the next two to three months.

"We have prepared the estimate for the renovation work, but technical and administrative clearances are still pending," Shirodkar said in response to concerns raised by Cortalim MLA Anton Vas.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the deteriorating water quality at the spring, a popular destination among locals and tourists.

Several MLAs flagged the issue of industrial pollution, claiming that untreated wastewater from the Verna Industrial Estate is seeping into the natural spring, leading to health issues such as skin infections among visitors.

Addressing these concerns, Shirodkar assured the House that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) would be instructed to conduct a thorough analysis of the spring’s water quality.

In a further move to tackle the problem, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced the government's plan to set up a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for the Verna Industrial Estate. The proposed plant will serve to prevent industrial discharge from contaminating the spring and its surroundings.

"We have already instructed all industries within the estate to establish their own Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and the Pollution Control Board has been directed to monitor their operations strictly," Sawant said.

Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral had raised alarm over the worsening state of Kesarval spring, citing unchecked industrial pollution as the primary reason for the decline in water quality.

The rejuvenation plan aims not only to restore the natural beauty of the spring but also to safeguard it from future contamination, ensuring it remains a clean and safe recreational spot for residents and visitors alike.