NT Reporter
Panaji
Drinking water shortages remain a persistent issue for residents across the state, with 46 localities spanning virtually all constituencies facing water supply problems for the past three years.
Consequently, these affected areas continue to rely on water tankers.
According to the government, the Department of Drinking Water has undertaken measures to rectify the situation and augment supply in these regions. Projects under implementation include commissioning of overhead tanks, laying pipelines and replacing blocked pipes.
However, government data reveals that only a few works are complete, while projects in several water-scarce areas remain at the approval stage, in progress or scheduled for completion later this year.
Troubled constituencies with numerous areas facing insufficient water include Taleigao, St Andre, Santa Cruz, Tivim, Siolim, Saligao, Vasco, Mormugao, Nuvem, Curchorem and Sanguem, among others.
In Taleigao, where areas like Peterbhat and the Aiva-I locality have received inadequate water since 2022, prospects for near-term improvement appear low; the department’s project to construct a dedicated line and handle interconnection work at Dona Paula for Aiva-I is still awaiting approval.
Similarly, in Santa Cruz, localities such as Chimbel, Indiranagar, Cabesa and Calapur face shortages, and the department’s plan to lay and commission a 110mm-diameter O-PVC pipeline from Uttam Darshan to Dharwadkar Colony remains unimplemented while under approval.
Meanwhile, Vasco and Mormugao together account for about 20 localities with water issues, which the department states it is addressing via water tankers.
Despite these challenges, the department maintains that there is no acute drinking water shortage across Goa as projected. “There are only minor water supply issues in some pockets which are of localised nature due to factors like corroded service lines, clogged distribution pipelines, power failures, leakages, breakdowns etc. Such issues are common in any distribution system and are attended to from time to time,” said Minister for Department of Drinking Water Subhash Phal Dessai.
In reply to a legislative assembly question from MLA Govind Gaude regarding Goa’s water management policy amid urbanisation, high-rise construction and commercial growth, Phal Dessai said that individual departmental divisions conduct continuous hydrological, technical and demand assessment studies to evaluate the
impact of development on the state’s drinking water infrastructure.
