PANJIM: A total of 10 packages of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) financed projects, expanding water supply and sewerage treatment, have been completed and commissioned and seven projects are nearing completion.
The works which have been completed and commissioned in phase I are expansion of 100 MLD water treatment plant and intake at Salaulim at a cost of Rs 169 crore; construction and rehabilitation of transmission lines ie laying of 40.91-km-long pipeline from Salaulim intake to Verna pumping station at a cost of Rs 269 crore; construction of 20,000 cubic metres master balance reservoir at Sirvoi, Quepem costing Rs 12.44 crore; procurement of water quality testing equipments for central laboratory at Margao; replacement of 93,393 water meters including automatic reading component of domestic consumers in all parts of South Goa district except Canacona taluka and improvement of power supply at Salaulim and Verna pumping station; construction of sewer network at Margao; inspection of existing sewer lines in Margao along with purchasing of operation and maintenance equipment; public relations and awareness programme and the project management consultancy services by the Japan-based Nihon Suido Consultants Company.
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The seven packages which have been targetted for completion between October and December this year are construction of transmission mains, distribution mains and reservoirs for Salaulim water supply system; construction of distribution mains; construction of transmission reservoirs and pumping station at Quepem, Padi and Kupwada in Quepem taluka; rehabilitation of Salaulim 160 MLD water treatment plant and intake works and Verna clear water pumping station; construction of water sewerage treatment plant at Margao, Mapusa and Baga in North coastal belt and pumping station in Margao and North coastal belt and construction of sewer network in Mapusa and North coastal belt.
At Baga and Mapusa, the work of sewerage treatment plants have been completed and only construction of two intermediate sewage pumping stations at Baga is pending.
The objective of these JICA financed projects – Goa Water Supply and Sewerage Projects was to provide safe and stable water supply and sewerage services that will meet the rapidly increasing water demand by expanding and rehabilitating water supply facilities in the existing Salaulim water supply scheme and by constructing and expanding sewerage facilities in Margao, Mapusa and North Coastal belt, thereby contributing to improvement of the living conditions of residents.
Also three contracts were terminated and retendered after the agencies reported bankrupt. The works which were abandoned and retendered are construction of transmission mains, distribution mains and reservoirs for Salaulim water supply system; construction of transmission reservoirs and pumping stations at Guddemoll, Maulingem and Bhati in Sanguem taluka and construction of transmission reservoirs and pumping stations at Quepem, Padi and Cupwada in Quepem taluka.
Initially the total cost of all these 17 packages was estimated at Rs 1031.90 crore and was later revised to Rs 1255 crore. Of these Rs 847.50 crore are loans offered by JICA and the balance is the State government’s share. The works started in 2011 and the loans repayment will start from April next year.
JICA has provided loans, technical cooperation and assistance to the State government in order to strengthen its capabilities.
