It is high time government took serious steps to correct the supply system
These past few days have seen reports of several parts of the state facing a water crisis. We have another three and a half months to go before the southwest monsoon hits Goa, and we are already under the grip of water shortages.
Officials may say that the water crisis is being faced only in some pockets of the state. Irrespective of that, the point remains: citizens are not receiving regular water supply. Most may get it for an hour, others longer. But there are still others who get in trickles or not at all. Goa became the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified state of the country in August 2022. At the time, the government announced that 2.63 lakh rural households in Goa have access to potable water through tap connections. But is that the ground reality? Are they all really receiving a proper supply of potable water?
In parts of Sangolda, the water shortage is being blamed on factors like damage to pipelines during the laying of underground cables. This reason is not a new one for Goa. While this may be one factor for some areas not receiving regular supply, what about the other areas that face similar or worse situations for months on end, like parts of Taleigao, Pilerne, Reis Magos, Anjuna, Calangute, and also pockets of Salcete, Canacona, Bicholim, and Ponda talukas? One oft-repeated official line has been that people face water shortages as they live at the tail end of the water network. Is it the fault of the people for living in those villages? Is it not the duty of the government to provide them with basic necessities?
More than two decades ago, our political leaders gave assurances that Goa would get 24×7 water supply. It remains a pipe dream. Considering the work undertaken over the years and the increasing demand, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has been practical. He admitted that it is not possible to supply water 24×7 and stated that his government will ensure at least four hours of daily water supply. It is a sad state of affairs that even more than six decades after Goa’s Liberation from the Portuguese rule, governments over the years have failed the people on potable water.
Every MLA, especially ministers, has been moving proposals to the government for upgrading supply or getting raw water and installing a water treatment plant, for their respective constituents. No doubt, over the past five years, there have been several improvements made towards infrastructure and capacity building. However, this has fallen short, failing to cater to the growing needs of the state. In the guise of correction of the regional plan, huge tracts of land have been converted to settlement (zone), resulting in a large number of building complexes. Water management is not in tune with the rising water demand.
Having allowed diversion of the Mhadei, the government has to think seriously of upgrading our water infrastructure, encouraging good practices like water harvesting, stemming wastage in the form of leaks in pipelines, and encouraging prudent use by citizens so that Goa does not face a major water crisis after some years.
Earlier this month, the government came up with a proposal to lay an underwater raw water pipeline from Porvorim to Panaji. Such initiatives are needed. Also, forming a separate department to look after water supply is a positive development. Let’s hope it will be professional in its approach to serve the people better.
