3 overhead water reservoirs lying unused for five years at Benaulim

Colva: Three overhead reservoirs (OHRs) were built in 2018 in the Benaulim constituency to ensure uninterrupted water supply even when the Selaulim water pipeline undergoes repairs or annual maintenance — but the OHRs have been non-operational.

Constructed with funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), these water reservoirs are yet to be integrated with the domestic pipeline network serving households.

V Bhende, the executive engineer of the PWD, said specific alterations were needed in the distribution system before commissioning the OHRs. Bhende said there is no deadline for commissioning the OHRs, but changes are required to ensure uninterrupted supply to consumers.

Varca village has a towering tank with a capacity of 10 lakh litres, while Orlim has a 5 lakh litre reservoir. Carmona’s ground-level reservoir holds 6.50 lakh litres and its overhead reservoir has a capacity of 3 lakh litres.

An assistant engineer of the PWD, Viraj Patel, said testing on the Carmona OHR is under way. He anticipates minimal challenges in commissioning the Orlim tank, whereas the Varca one might necessitate a booster pump for efficient filling.

A PWD source said financial constraints may delay the much-needed work until the next fiscal year.

Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said that the Carmona OHR will be commissioned in the next three weeks. The pumps at Orlim and Varca, Viegas said, have been fixed.