PANJIM: The Goa government will soon prepare a scheme to tighten the noose around water tanker operators, who are indulged in unregulated business across the villages and urban areas and still going scot free.
Complaints of overcharge, and questions arising on how most of these tankers have access to unlimited water for supply in summer when even water level in wells come down will be addressed and inquired at the same time.
Water Resources Department in 2018 discussed about considering the possibility to install GPS monitoring system to track movements of these vehicles. The proposal has reportedly not taken shape so far. WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar said, “I will inquire about this with the department.”
The government receives complaints from different sectors that some water tanker owners source the water from wells belonging to someone else, and also from the places which are not registered with the WRD.
“In due course of time, we will come out with a scheme to regulate the number of tankers, check their activities and other aspects to ensure they adhere to the existing norms,” the minister said.
The quantity of water drawn from the water source, number of trips, etc to corroborate with the GPS tracking system were discussed in a meeting held during the previous tenure of the government. The water tanker owners should not only possess WRD license but also NOC from the health department every six months, and certificates from Goa Pollution Control Board and Transport Department over condition of water source, vehicle, etc.
