PONDA: Against the backdrop of the significant water crisis that plagued Shiroda Constituency during the scorching summer of 2023, precipitated by the depletion of water levels in the Mhaisal dam, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has devised a strategic plan. The plan entailed the diversion of water from the Selaulim dam to Mhaisal dam in Shiroda, facilitated by the installation of a specialized pipeline spanning from Mirabaga to Savordem, directly connecting the two reservoirs.
Recalling the dire circumstances faced by Shiroda Constituency last year, when the Mhaisal dam ran dry at the peak of summer, it’s crucial to note the ensuing water crisis. The depletion rendered the 10 MLD water treatment plant, linked to the Mhaisal dam, inoperative, severely disrupting the water supply. Consequently, authorities resorted to temporarily sourcing water for Shiroda Constituency from the Opa Water Treatment Plant.
Anticipating a recurrence of similar circumstances this approaching summer, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar revealed the department’s proactive strategy. The WRD plans to lay down a pipeline to bolster the Mhaisal dam’s water supply by tapping into the resources of the Selaulim Dam.
Despite boasting a storage capacity of 436.8 Hectare Metres, the water levels in the Mhaisal dam plummeted to alarming lows, dipping below 2 percent. This drastic depletion critically impacted the operation of the 10 MLD treatment plant, which caters to the potable water needs of Shiroda and Panchawadi Villages.
Meanwhile, the Opa Water Treatment Plant located at Khandepar, Ponda, plays a pivotal role in supplying approximately 160 MLD of water to Tiswadi. Additionally, Ponda Taluka has long benefitted from the 48 MLD water supply sourced from the Selaulim Dam, channeled to the Opa river to rejuvenate the basin, particularly during the arid summer months. With the forthcoming initiative, the Shiroda Mhaisal dam will become the second recipient of water from the Selaulim Dam, further enhancing its water security measures.
