Govt to form dedicated dept for drinking water

PORVORIM/PANAJI
Giving a major thrust on water supply, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced the formation of a dedicated Department for Drinking Water (DDW).

Sawant said that the existing Public Works Department (PWD) will be split into two, with the new department on drinking water ensuring that consumers get at least 4 hours of drinking water daily. 

He was speaking at Quitla in Salvador do Mundo after inaugurating the Over Head Reservoir (OHR) in the presence of Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte and panch members of Salvador do Mundo.

“The PWD is a large department handling roads, buildings, and other infrastructure, which often means that water doesn’t get enough attention. The new department will focus solely on drinking water and will be launched soon,” said Sawant. 

Clarifying the roles of different departments, Sawant stated that the new DDW will be responsible to ensure that water reaches homes for four hours daily, while the Water Resources Department (WRD) will oversee water supply to reservoirs. 

“It’s the responsibility of the WRD to ensure water reaches the reservoirs, and if it doesn’t, strict action will be taken,” he warned.

Sawant emphasised that the initiative is part of a long-term vision for the next 25 years. 

“We need efficient engineers with a dedicated focus on this new department to make Goa self-sufficient in terms of water,” he said.

The chief minister also highlighted the need for numerous water sources.

“There are various water sources, and people shouldn’t rely on just one,” he added.

Sawant further added that producing treated water is a costly exercise.

Stating that 40 per cent of Goa’s population currently pays no water charges, the chief minister said: “The cost of water is Rs 20 per cubic litre, but we charge only Rs 3 per cubic litre from those who pay water bills, while the government bears the remaining Rs 17.”

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte stated that the cost of the project at Quitla is Rs 3.45 crore, which consists of a 300 cubic meter sump, 650 cubic meter Over Head Reservoir and pumping machinery to pump water from the sump to the OHR.

“With the commissioning of this OHR, water supply to Donwado, Quitla and Salai will be improved. To increase the capacity of water storage, the PWD is planning to construct about nine water reservoirs and overhead water tanks,” said Khaunte.

“Besides, alternate source of raw water to the water treatment plant at Porvorim has also been arranged from Amthane. Once the work to lay this new pipeline from Amthane to Porvorim is completed, there won’t be water shortage for residents of Porvorim even if problems occur at the Tillari Canal,” said Khaunte.