Team Herald
PONDA: A new water treatment plant of 27 MLD-capacity was commissioned on Friday at Opa in Curti-Khandepar and with this, Panjim, Santa Cruz and Taleigao “will be getting water supply for one hour more.”
After the commissioning of the plant, Principle Chief Engineer Uttam Parsekar said, “earlier, various places in Tiswadi taluka were getting water for two and half an hour, but from today they will be getting one hour extra water supply.”
The plant was commissioned by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. Others present on the occasion were PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, PMC Chairman Venktesh Naik, his deputy Vishwanath Dalvi, Deelip Dhavlikar and government officials.
On the occasion, Dr Sawant said, “Goa’s water requirement is 550 MLD and the government incurs around Rs 15 for purifying one cubic meter of water, but the consumers are charged only Rs 2.50 per cubic meter. This means, the government is bearing Rs 12.50. Therefore, people should use water judiciously.”
He informed that the government has set a target of providing 100 percent water connectivity by March 31 this year. The chief minister warned that if NGOs and people keep opposing new industries, industrialists will not come forward to invest in Goa.
MLA Ravi Naik complained that Forest Department was creating hurdle to construct the 27 MLD plant. Taking the opportunity, Ravi demanded creation of third district covering the talukas of Ponda, Dharbandora and Sattari.
PWD Minister Pauskar said that more bandaras would be constructed to meet the water requirement. “Water from mining pits will be also used for treatment. Smart meters will be installed to provide spot bills to the consumers as there are lot of complaints that they are not getting bills on time,” he said.
Assuring that by 2021 all sewerage works in Goa would be completed, Pauskar said, “The sewerage work delayed at some places due to opposition by locals and thus hot-mix carpeting is also pending even though work order is ready.”
