‘Shortfall of 70 MLD per day’
Panaji: Drinking Water Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said on Monday that the state currently requires 700 million litres per day (MLD) but is able to supply only 630 MLD of water, resulting in a shortfall of 70 MLD per day.
Speaking at a function held to mark the World Water Day at the Public Works Department (PWD) headquarters, Altinho, the minister underscored the growing stress on Goa’s water resources due to rising population, urbanisation and tourism-related demand.
Phal Dessai said a large section of the state’s water distribution network is outdated, with several pipelines having exceeded their functional lifespan.
The minister outlined a series of corrective measures being undertaken to address these issues. These include the phased replacement of ageing pipelines, the introduction of smart metering systems, and the strengthening of monitoring mechanisms to detect and control leakages in real time.
He said these steps are aimed at improving overall efficiency and ensuring equitable distribution of water across the state.
Phal Dessai said efforts are underway to augment water production capacity in the coming months to bridge the existing gap.
The government, he said, is working on enhancing infrastructure and exploring ways to increase output to meet the growing demand, particularly during peak tourist seasons when consumption rises sharply.
Emphasising the significance of the World Water Day, Phal Dessai called for collective responsibility in water conservation, urging citizens, institutions and industries to adopt sustainable practices.
“Water is a precious resource, and its conservation is essential for future generations,” he reckoned, stressing that government’s efforts alone would not suffice without active public participation.
Principal chief engineer of PWD Sandeep Prabhu Chodnekar, GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins and senior officials of the department were present on the occasion.
