Ponda: The height of the Maisal dam in Shiroda will be increased by up to one metre to boost water storage capacity, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said.
He said the dam, which has begun to overflow due to ongoing rains, has the potential to store an additional 5 million litres per day (MLD) if raised. “An extra treatment plant with a new filter bed will be installed to support this increase,” he said.
Shirodkar said that under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the government aims to resolve drinking water issues across Goa by 2026–27, and that treatment plant capacities are being enhanced statewide.
Currently, 10 MLD of water from the Maisal dam is treated and supplied to Panchawadi, Shiroda, and parts of Borim panchayat, with additional supply from the Selaulim dam.
The Minister said the delayed monsoon in 2024 until June 24 caused severe water scarcity.
“By increasing the dam’s height, we can store water well into August and September,” he said.
He said that Goa is generally blessed with abundant rainfall, with major reservoirs including Selaulim, Tillari (Maharashtra), and Maisal already full, except for Anjuna. The government is also considering using dam water for irrigation, he said.
