TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Officials from the Water Supply department have said that the acute water shortage to Ponda and Tiswadi which is witnessed in May will be felt from February if the Mhadei river water is diverted.
This was brought to the notice of the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) team during its visit to the Opa Water Works plant in Curti-Khandepar Panchayat on Monday. Earlier, the team visited the proposed Ganjem (Mhadei river) water treatment facility in Usgao-Ganjem Panchayat.
The MWDT team headed by Chairman Justice J M Panchal and members, Justice Viney Mittal and Justice P S Narayan, were also accompanied by government officials from the Karnataka state.
It may be recalled that the Centre had constituted a tribunal consisting of three judges to resolve the dispute between Goa and Karnataka over diversion of water from the river Mhadei.
According to information, the Opa Water Works daily supplies 140 MLD drinking water to Ponda and Tiswadi talukas and water from River Mhadei forms part of the total water source to the Opa Water Works.
“We explained in detail the impact of the Mhadei river water diversion on the water supply (drinking water) scenario in Ponda and Tiswadi talukas. Though there is water scarcity in May, but if water is diverted (Mhadei River) then the water scarcity will be witnessed from February,” said Dattaprasad Borkar, chief engineer, Water Supply (PWD).
According to information, the main source of water to Opa is from river Khandepar that originates at Dhudhsagar and water also from Ganjem (Mhadei River) is pumped into Kale River that connects river Khandepar.
“Since there is water distribution problem to the capital city of Panjim, the department has planned to construct a 27 MLD water treatment plant at Opa which will supply water, especially to Panjim city,” said Borkar.
“The project will be undertaken through Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), however Mhadei water, if diverted, will severely affect water availability to the Opa Water Works,” added Borkar.
Officials also brought to the notice of MWDT team of the proposed plans of the neighbouring state Karnataka to divert water from Katla and Palna rivers which are the primary source to Dudhsagar River.
“According to reports, there are plans of the neighbouring state to divert water of Katla and Palna Rivers, about 1 km distance from the Dudhsagar waterfall in the neighbouring state. With this, the water problem will aggravate,” informed Borkar.
