PORVORIM: Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Wednesday informed the House that the government will construct two new dams Mankem and Kajumol in Dharbandora taluka to alleviate the problems of water shortage in the State during the dry months. The foundation stone of both these proposed dams would be laid in December this year.
Replying to a starred question tabled by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas regarding water level of dams, Shirodkar said, “By 2047, Goa will be self-sufficient in both electricity and water needs. The WRD plans to tap the waters of Kushawati river at Quepem as well, and bolster water harvesting and conservation efforts in the interest of the farmers.”
The government is aware that this year there was a delay in the onset of monsoon, which happened on June 18. The monsoon was weak and therefore there was an overall deficit of rainfall in June. Now the monsoon has picked up and the deficit rainfall is making up, the Minister said.
As far as the reservoirs of the State are concerned, impoundage is gradually rising, and the impounding is returning to normal as that of previous years, Shirodkar said.
Viegas pointed out that the water levels in dams and reservoirs across the State dropped drastically this past summer, affecting both irrigation supply as well as drinking water supply to citizens. Goa faces water shortages every year during the last week of June, and despite the recurrent problem, the government has failed to implement a sustainable rainwater harvesting plan, leading to the wastage of precious rainwater, Viegas said.