Panaji: Water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar stated on Wednesday that the state's reservoirs currently hold adequate raw water storage to fulfil Goa's requirements until the onset of the monsoon season.
Desalination Plant and Modernisation Plans
Shirodkar also revealed that the water resources department (WRD) is exploring the feasibility of establishing a desalination plant for Panaji and implementing an automated water release system for irrigation, among other initiatives. The minister further added that a team of engineers will visit Lakshadweep and Chennai to study existing desalination plants there. "They will examine the operations of both plants. If we set up a plant, we will not need to continue constructing bandharas. Many Arab countries are utilising water through desalination on a large scale," he explained.
Modernising Water Release
The WRD is also keen on modernising the water release system. Shirodkar announced that a tender will soon be floated for desiltation of the Anjunem reservoir, which is expected to increase its storage capacity by 30 days. "At present, we release water from reservoirs and it continues to flow. We will implement a system where water is released based on farmers' requirements. We will assess needs for distances up to 5 km, from 6 to 10 km, and so on. Then we can lay pipelines and release only the required amount of water. This will help us preserve water in the dams," Shirodkar told TOI.
Steps to Meet Summer Water Supply
Shirodkar outlined various measures being taken to meet water supply requirements for the upcoming summer. He stated that the Sal barrage will be ready for decommissioning by May 30, along with 1,000 additional bandharas, which will increase Goa's water capacity to 5,000. For Opa, water will be pumped from a mining pit starting May 1 to boost availability in the area. The department also plans to commission a pumping house on the Kushawati river by May 30, which will enhance water supply capacity and reduce dependence on the Selaulim reservoir.
Current Reservoir Levels
"There is sufficient water storage in all our dams. The water available in the Selaulim reservoir is at 40.4% capacity, enough to meet the requirement for the next two months for the entire South Goa. In Anjunem, the dam is 23.8% full. We will reduce flow in canals for irrigation, and then the water supply will be sufficient for 1.5 months," said the WRD minister. Shirodkar further added, "The Amthane dam is 44.4% full, and water levels can be increased to 60% by pumping water from the Chapora river." He also noted that the water storage in the Panchawadi dam is 35%, which is comparatively better than in 2023 when levels dipped to 14.7%.
