TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Public Works Department plans to commission a water reservoir to augment water supply by 5,000 cubic meters by February-end, to solve water scarcity faced by Dabolim and surrounding areas.
PWD Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar replying to a calling attention motion by Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho said that for the time being the number of tankers supplying water will be increased in the higher altitude areas where direct water supply is difficult.
Godinho had expressed grave concern before the House, Thursday, regarding the acute water shortage to Chicalim, Bogmalo, Vaddem, New Vaddem and nearby area residents. He said that other areas of Mormugao taluka was getting enough water supply except these. While claiming that the residents get water for hardly an hour, he sought government’s intervention to resolve the long pending problem.
“These areas are fast developing with increasing buildings and population, and consequent increase in demand for water,” he said adding that places where residents are dependent on tankers also face hardships since tankers are hardly available.
Vasco and Mormugao, whose demand is 18 MLD water each is getting 15 MLD. Similarly, Dabolim gets 10 MLD as against 12 MLD demand and Cortalim gets 18 MLD as against 20 MLD demand.
Dhavalikar responding to the calling attention motion criticized the previous government for opposing the JICA project. Nonetheless, he said, works under JICA projects have been tendered by the ruling coalition and signing of agreements is in process.
“Works like replacement of existing transmission from Verna MBR to Sada with M S pipeline of dia 1000 mm to 600 mm, and construction of 750 mm OHR at New Vaddem are being taken up under JICA to improve water supply,” the minister replied.
Apart from this, the existing water treatment plant at Selaulim is being augmented by additional 100 MLD along with a 20,000 M3 MBR at Sirvoi, laying of 1400/1200 mm dia M S Pipeline from Selaulim to Verna MBR.
As a short term measure, Dhawalikar said, replacement of pumps at Selaulim pumping station with higher discharge is being taken up to improve the capacity of pumping by at least 25 MLD, which is expected to be complete by May 2013.
