Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa government frequently claims that providing water to all sections of society is a top priority. However, it is evident that this remains nothing more than an unfulfilled promise. The severity of the problem became clear when Taleigao BJP MLA Jennifer Monserrate participated in the Assembly debate on Monday. She highlighted the acute water shortage faced by her constituency, noting that areas like Sailem Bhat, Aivao, Eugene Morod, Borbhat, Odxel, Oitiyant and parts of Dona Paula have been severely affected. She emphasised that, despite being an important hub of Panjim, the region suffers because it lies at the tail end of the distribution line. Monserrate urged the government to immediately address the issue.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, who, along with many other legislators — Carlos Ferreira, Venzy Viegas, Yuri Alemao, Cruz Silva and Altone D’Costa — had submitted a calling attention notice on the water scarcity issue, went further in his criticism. Sardesai accused the so-called ‘tanker mafia’ of operating in newly developed areas where construction is booming. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant responded by outlining the government’s efforts to ensure a minimum of four hours of water supply per day.
However, this promise rings hollow to those who are aware of the various issues plaguing the state’s water supply. As reported in a recent edition of
O Heraldo, many parts of Taleigao receive water for no more than 60 minutes daily.
O Heraldo has continuously spotlighted Goa’s worsening water crisis, exposing the underlying problems caused by both human negligence and unchecked development.
From Taleigao’s frustratingly minimal water supply to Usgao’s untreated water problems, Porvorim’s dry pipes, Anjuna’s water scarcity, and Assagao’s residents manually pumping water – the situation is both diverse and troubling. Despite the mounting evidence, authorities continue to ignore the urgent pleas of Goa’s residents, failing to address the man-made factors fueling this crisis.
Sardesai referenced records from the Public Works Department (PWD) which indicate a shortfall of 91 Megalitres per day (MLD) of water, though he suggested the actual shortage might be even higher, based on the visible movement of water tankers across various towns. He called for the government to make water harvesting mandatory and for seasonal audits of water storage and infrastructure to be conducted.
The Aldona MLA criticises the government for approving large-scale projects with swimming pools in areas already facing water shortages.
In his reply, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant defended the government’s actions, citing the growth in industry, trade, and population, both local and migrant. He stated that efforts are being made to meet future water demand. Sawant added that the PWD is working to enhance water supply schemes, construct new water treatment plants with a combined capacity of 248.6 MLD, and build new reservoirs and pipelines. The government is also prioritising the replacement of old pipelines.
Sawant argued that while the state’s total water requirement is 695 MLD, there is currently a shortage of 50 MLD. He acknowledged that water scarcity is a recurring issue every year during April and May but assured that potable water is provided in areas facing shortages. He claimed that the situation is not a major crisis, except in cases of pipe breakages.