PANJIM/PONDA: The raw water from the Inter-State Tillari Irrigation Project started flowing into the State after a gap of nearly 45 days. Water supply in the canal was restored at 5.40 am on Wednesday.
The water flow was closed for essential repairs and maintenance of the canal, gates, and other dam-related infrastructure since November 13. Areas of Porvorim, Saligao, and parts of Mapusa constituencies were reeling under acute water shortage for the past several days.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The water from Tillari irrigation project is used for various purposes like drinking, irrigation, power generation, etc.
While the canals were shut, the Water Resources Department (WRD) on a war footing initiated capital works and completed strengthening and lining of canals from Goa border. Strengthening of the canal for a length of 4.50 kms stands completed on the Left Bank Main Canal, which provides water to Assonora and Porvorim water treatment plant. And similarly, strengthening about 5 kms is completed on the Right Bank Main Canal feeding water treatment plant at Chandel towards Mopa Airport. The Maharashtra government had also taken up minor maintenance and repairs at critical stretches near Maneri village and other locations for about two to three kilometres in Maharashtra, and maintenance of the Gating Control Systems was also completed. Due to technical issues with the emergency gate, there was a delay in the release of water by three days. To fix the issue, the officials of Goa and Maharashtra worked round the clock and resolved the issues pertaining to the operation of the gate.
Water has travelled about eight kilometres and is likely to enter Goa border at Dodamarg by noon of
December 27, and raw water supply is estimated to reach Guirim pumping station by Thursday evening, and thereafter raw water supply to the storage tank will commence.
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said that after 24 hours of strenuous work by the technical teams from Maharashtra and Goa along with 20 workers managed to open the jammed Main gate of Tillari Irrigation Dam with water being already released in the canals at 5.40 am on Wednesday, crossed Dodamarg, and expected to reach Porvorim between 3 to 6 pm evening on Thursday. From Friday onwards, there would be regular water supply from the Porvorim water treatment plant. The priority is to start the water treatment plant and supply water to affected areas of Bardez taluka.
Shirodkar said that from the New Year, the Mhaisal dam and treatment plant at Shiroda, which fell dry in the summer, will get additional water pumped from Selaulim dam and also water from the barrage on Uguem river at Mirabag-Sanvordem.
