Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: Drinking Water Department (DWD) Minister Subhash Phaldessai visited Dabolim on Wednesday and held a detailed meeting with Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho to review persistent water supply grievances in the constituency. The meeting was attended by panchayat members from various villages, Zilla Panchayat members, Mormugao Municipal Council councillors, DWD engineers and departmental staff.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Phaldessai assured that water supply issues in the Dabolim constituency would be addressed on a priority basis. He said he was invited by Minister Mauvin Godinho to take stock of the problems being faced by residents.
“I was called by Minister Mauvin Godinho regarding poor water supply issues in his constituency. After taking charge of this department, I have been working to resolve water problems across Goa. Today, I met panch members of various panchayats in Dabolim, MMC councillors, the newly elected ZP member and some residents to understand the situation on the ground,” Phaldessai said.
He said the department had identified both the issues and possible solutions after discussions with engineers and staff. “We have studied the problems and also worked out solutions. Several projects need to be taken up, and once these works are completed, the water supply situation will stabilise,” he stated.
Phaldessai explained that a three-phase plan had been prepared. “In areas facing acute scarcity, immediate steps will be taken, including the installation of booster pumps. The second phase includes medium-term project works, while the third phase consists of long-term planning. We will review the progress after three months and check the implementation of the decisions taken today,” he said.
He added that the state is expecting an additional 100 MLD water supply. “A major portion of this supply will go to Mormugao taluka, including the Dabolim constituency,” Phaldessai said.
Minister Mauvin Godinho thanked Phaldessai for personally visiting the constituency and taking up the issue seriously. “There has been considerable relief since he took charge of the department. He has addressed the concerns raised before him with seriousness and has come up with clear immediate, medium and long-term plans,” Godinho said.
He informed that estimates for 12 water-related projects had already been approved. “Once these projects are executed, water supply issues in the constituency will be largely resolved. As an immediate measure, booster pumps will be installed in Bogmalo to improve supply,” Godinho said.
Godinho also raised concerns about ageing pipelines. “Old pipelines may burst with additional water pressure. The minister has assured that old pipelines will be replaced and overhead tanks and reservoirs will be constructed wherever possible. He has also instructed immediate repairs of overhead tanks at New Vaddem and Chicalim,” he added.
