Land issue hampering water projects: Pauskar

Ponda: PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on Sunday commissioned the 1.6 MLD capacity ground level reservoirs at Bhootkhamb-Querim in Ponda, resolving the tap water issues of Querim and Vere-Vagurme villages. Both these villages relied on tanker water supply for past many years and with commissioning of the reservoir, around 3,500 villagers will receive tap water supply.

During the commissioning function, Priol MLA and Minister Govind Gaude, Querim sarpanch Anisha Gaude, Vere-Vagurme sarpanch Satyawan Shilkar and others were present.

Speaking on the occasion, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar informed that under Jal Jeevan Mission of the central government, the state has received Rs 1,500 crore using which water issues of entire state will be resolved.

“Land has been an issue for execution of water projects in the state. Communidades in the state have ample land in their possession but are reluctant to gift it for government projects. If they give their land for government projects, the water issue in the state will be resolved soon,” Pauskar felt.

Speaking about the commissioning of the 1.6 MLD capacity ground level reservoirs at Bhootkhamb, Pauskar said that people of Querim and Vere-Vagurme won’t have to rely on tanker water any further. And the government will try to provide 24 hours water supply to the residents of these villages soon, the Minister assured.

Minister Gaude further stated that commissioning of the project won’t resolve the water issues of the Querim and Vere Vagurme area, some issues will remain which will be resolved within few months time. In that direction, old water pipeline of entire Querim village will be replaced with better quality and high capacity lines, he said.

Gaude also informed that the state has proposed few water treatment plants at Bhootkhamb-Querim costing around Rs 85 crore which will resolve water issues in Priol constituency.