He said, “Our forefathers made optimum use of rainwater by harvesting and providing it to bagayats throughout year, especially through lakes, wells, and spring. The government is following in their footsteps by using rainwater that gets wasted every monsoon when it flows from rivers, lakes, and nullahs into the sea.”
Gaonkar said he had been thinking of using rainwater every since he became GIDC chairman last year. He got the idea from his forefathers, who stored and released water by way of lakes, ponds, springs, and nullahs. He plans to set up a water-treatment plant in order to conserve and provide rainwater to Goa’s industrial estates.
Gaonkar stated that GIDC has planned a five MLD water-treatment plant at Verna Industrial Estate (VIE) at a cost of around Rs 12.5 crore. The project will come up at the lowest point of the estate. The rainwater that is harvested there will be treated and pumped to the industries at VIE. It will also generate revenue for GIDC as the industries will be charged for the water.
Gaonkar said GIDC had planned another such project at Kundaim Industrial Estate. Plants would be set up in other parts of Goa after conducting surveys and feasibility reports.
Presently, many industries in Goa are facing a water crisis. At times they have to bring water with tankers or bore wells. If GIDC’s project is successful, it will reduce the burden on the Public Works Department. Gaonkar said that rainwater could be used throughout the monsoons, and thereafter for two months with the accumulated water. The work on the treatment plant at VIE will begin soon.
