Porvorim: Goa government on Friday raised concern over the future availability of raw water in the state, stressing the need to prepare the inventory of the existing water bodies.
State Water Resources Department Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues also told the House that Goa government will not allow the diversion of Mahadayi water by Karnataka, for which Special Leave petition has been filed by the state before Supreme Court.
Responding to the Demands for Grants on Water Resources Department, Rodrigues said that the demand of raw water and its availability in the state is on par.
“The demand for raw water is 1,200 million cubic litres and the same amount of it is available in the state. This is a thing to worry if we think water requirement for next 50 years. We need to conserve the water considering our future,” he said.
The minister said that the stress on raw water increased in the state during April and May months to alleviate which the department is proposing to provide permanent pumping units in abandoned mining pits in phased manner.
Rodrigues said that the state will also have its own policy to regulate Water Resources so that they are preserved for posterity.
“Many developments have taken place in close proximity of water bodies .. It has created the stress.. Inventory of all the lakes and rivulets would be made and notified so that they are protected for posterity,” he said.
Rodrigues said that the state government is serious about not allowing Karnataka to divert water from Mahadayi basin, and Special Leave Petition which is filed before the Supreme Court is listed for hearing on Monday, August 5.
“It is my endeavour to leave no stone unturned in battle to protect interest of Goa,” he said adding that the State would be represented by Senior Counsel Arvind Datar in the Apex Court.
