Panaji: Goa govt has sought Rs 300 crore from Centre to upgrade Anjunem dam in Sattari and another Rs 600-700 crore to modernise the Selaulim reservoir in Sanguem, with the proposed works expected to increase water storage capacity, water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar said.The state is also planning to shift towards drip irrigation, modelled on Israel’s water conservation practices, and divert an additional 15-20 MLD of water from Selaulim through Xelvona to Panchwadi for treatment to reduce pressure on the Opa water treatment plant.Speaking at the Sustainable Goa Summit 2026, Shirodkar said Goa receives one of the highest amounts of rainfall in the country, averaging 110-120 inches a season, but treated water is often wasted on activities such as washing cars and watering gardens.“We will introduce modernisation of water supply, drip system. We must follow the pattern of Israeli irrigation to conserve water,” he said.He said govt also plans to curb tanker-based water supply and make the use of recycled water from treated sewage mandatory for appropriate purposes to reduce pressure on the drinking water supply network.“As a trial project, I want to fit around 100 houses with sensors to track water usage. Otherwise, it so happens that we let the tap running through the night and a coconut tree which requires 10 litres gets 500 litres. We have to be a little more sensitive to conserve water,” Shirodkar said.Despite Goa recording a 32% rainfall deficit this year, the state has sufficient raw water reserves to last until August 2027, even if the monsoon is delayed next year due to climatic conditions, he said. However, there is a shortfall in treated water supply, which is expected to ease once the additional 100 MLD Selaulim project is commissioned by Nov or Dec. Three more treatment plants are also under construction.“Tiswadi and Ponda are the only two talukas where we do not have a dam water facility. All the water we get is from the Opa river, on which we have almost 20 bandharas. These are little problematic talukas. An additional 15 to 20 MLD of water will now be taken from Selaulim to Xelvona to Panchwadi for treatment. We want to reduce water pressure on Opa plant,” he said.On the agricultural front, Shirodkar said he would write to the director of agriculture next week, asking zonal officers to ensure that farmers begin paddy plantation immediately following the rainfall deficit. This would help complete harvesting by the end of March.
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