Opposition Condemns Government Over Water Supply Failures Amid Real Estate Boom

The Opposition in Goa's Assembly delivered a scathing critique of the government on Thursday, focusing on the persistent water shortages that have plagued the state. They questioned the government's decision to approve large commercial and mega construction projects while several areas struggle to secure even basic water supply.

Opposition legislators accused the government of ignoring the aging infrastructure and failing to address long-standing issues in the water supply network. They warned that the situation reflects deeper failures in governance and a lack of accountability.

Opening the debate, AAP MLA Venzy Viegas pointed out that the government's own responses in the Assembly have exposed the fragile state of Goa’s water supply system. “The reply shows how the department is functioning and makes it clear that Goa’s water supply network is under severe infrastructure stress. This is not a problem of water scarcity but a structural crisis caused by institutional failure, lack of investment, and absence of accountability,” Viegas said.

He highlighted that aging pipelines are one of the main reasons for repeated disruptions. In his Benaulim constituency, several pipelines have not been replaced for nearly four decades, leading to frequent bursts and interruptions in supply.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao also criticized the government for failing to upgrade old infrastructure while allowing large construction projects to move forward. Alemao noted that several overhead water tanks in the state are more than 60 years old and are in poor condition. “This government talks about Har Ghar Jal, but in many places there is neither jal nor nal,” he said, taking a dig at the Centre’s flagship scheme.

Alemao questioned the government’s priorities, asking whether restrictions would be imposed on mega projects until basic infrastructure such as water supply is strengthened. “We cannot afford to approve large projects when the existing infrastructure is crumbling,” he emphasized.

RGP MLA Viresh Borkar called for the installation of flow meters to monitor water losses across the network. He pointed out that large quantities of water are wasted due to leakages and poor monitoring. Borkar added that he has often had to personally intervene to resolve water supply issues in his constituency.

Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira raised concerns over falling water reserves. He informed the House that the Amthane dam in Assonora currently holds only about 30 percent of its storage capacity and sought clarification on measures to ensure Bardez does not face shortages. “The water levels are critically low, and we need immediate action to prevent a crisis,” Ferreira stressed.

Responding to the criticism, Drinking Water Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said the government gives priority to domestic consumers while granting water connections. “The first priority is always domestic single dwelling houses. Larger commercial projects are cleared only after engineers carry out proper audits, and in many cases, the project promoters are asked to make their own arrangements,” the minister said.

Phal Dessai informed the House that the state’s current water demand is estimated at 695 MLD against a supply of 633 MLD, leaving a shortfall of 62 MLD. To bridge the gap, he said the government has taken up 11 new water treatment plant projects, nine of which are currently underway. These projects are expected to generate an additional 325 MLD of treated water by the end of the year.

The Opposition called for a more comprehensive and transparent approach to address the water crisis, emphasizing the need for immediate action to upgrade the existing infrastructure and ensure sustainable water management.