PANJIM: Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ramakrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar has given a Rs 413-crore estimate to the Central government for upgradation of the State’s water supply and sanitation system by way of constructing nearly 70,000 sanitary toilets by 2017.
Dhavalikar returned to Goa on Saturday after attending a two-day workshop and conference on water supply and sanitation in Delhi. Dhavalikar, however was not able to meet Union Minister for drinking water and sanitation, Nitin Gadkari, as he is on a holiday. Hence, a detail proposal was submitted to the Union secretary.
Minister said that a detailed project report (DPR) to the centre on the upgradation of the water supply and sanitation system in Goa is been submitted to the Centre, for immediate approval. “We are confident that the Centre will approve our proposal, as our sole aim is to provide 24×7 water supply by mid-2015 and total sanitation (totally open-defecation free) by 2017,” he said.
Under water supply, government is proposing changing almost 1,000 kms of the old water supply pipeline across the State.
Dhavalikar has also assured the Centre that Goa will provide 24×7 water supply to the State by mid-2015 and hence financial aid under the rural water supply scheme, which Goa is not eligible for due to high standards of water supply in Goa, should be provided.
In case of sanitation, State has assured to construct nearly 70,000 sanitary toilets by 2017 as part of Swacch Bharat campaign.
During his visit, Dhavalikar also submitted DPR and alignment for the proposed six-lane Zuari Bridge – a Rs 1200 crore project fully funded by the Central government.
