Is Halting Construction Licenses the Solution for Goa’s Water and Power Issues?

On Friday, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo brought urgent attention to an escalating crisis in Goa, advocating for a halt on construction licenses in the face of severe water scarcity in coastal regions.
As he highlighted, the dire situation forces residents to resort to drinking contaminated water from wells, a troubling reality brought about by inadequate supply from the Public Works Department (PWD). His call to action raises a critical question: is pausing new construction the right move to address these pressing water and power issues?
In areas like North Goa’s Bardez, the scarcity of clean water has reached alarming levels. Residents report waiting up to eight days just to receive a brief 30-minute supply of water, leaving them in a precarious position as they juggle daily needs.
This is far from the ideal of consistent, reliable access to water that every citizen deserves. The community’s desperation is palpable as the limitations of existing resources are laid bare.
The haphazard development activity in coastal zones has only exacerbated the current predicament. The rapid construction of hotels, large-scale housing, and commercial enterprises have outpaced the ability of local infrastructure to cope, straining the already limited water supply. This brings together multiple players in the conversation—government officials, local panchayat members, and community leaders—who should all be held accountable for these misguided developmental policies.
Stopping construction licenses may seem like a reasonable temporary fix to the water crisis, at least until service levels can catch up with demand.
However, the matter is more complex. While halting construction may provide immediate relief to the water shortage, it does not address the underlying issues perpetuated by years of mismanagement and misaligned priorities.
Simply putting a stop to new projects ignores the broader systemic challenges, including the governance failure that allows illegal constructions to flourish.
It’s crucial to impose stricter regulations and to ensure existing infrastructure is prioritized before opening the gates for new development. Constructing sustainable, eco-friendly projects that prioritize local needs and comply with environmental regulations could ultimately pave the way for long-lasting solutions.
Moreover, addressing water and power issues also requires innovative technology and infrastructure investments. Goa needs to invest in rainwater harvesting systems, efficient water treatment plants, and renewable energy initiatives to reduce dependency on traditional power and water sources.
This multifaceted approach will help ensure that Goa’s developmental goals do not come at the cost of its residents’ health and well-being.
Hence, while halting construction licenses may temporarily alleviate some of the pressure on Goa’s water supply, it is not a sustainable or comprehensive solution. Instead, a collaborative strategy involving strict enforcement of regulations, investments in infrastructure, and community-driven initiatives is necessary.
Goa can only achieve a balance between development and sustainability if all stakeholders come together to plan and manage growth in an environmentally responsible manner. The time is ripe for a paradigm shift in how Goa approaches both development and resource management, ensuring a better quality of life for its residents now and into the future.