Gaunem dam water will be finally tapped after 9 years

Canacona: The 5MLD water treatment plant at Gaunem in Canacona, constructed to treat the Gaunem dam water, has finally received administrative approval from govt. The approval of Rs 38.8 crore has come after a decade of completion of the dam and that too with conditions. It also includes operation and maintenance of the plant for five years.

The approval states that the tenders shall not be invited unless the land is acquired and a detailed estimate is prepared and technically sanctioned by the competent authority.

The Gaunem dam was completed in 2016 at a cost of Rs 21 crore and with a storage capacity of 177 hectares. The dam was supposed to provide 5MLD water to meet the domestic and irrigation needs of Gaondongrim and Cotigao villages.

The areas that reel under acute water shortage during summer months are Nhanem, Indrawada, Bharsa, Bhupor, Tudal, Ziltawadi and Saturlim in Gaondongrim, and many parts of Cotigao.

Gaunem dam was constructed under the water resources department, but the further work of making the arrangements for its supply was the responsibility of PWD’s water distribution section. However, the water supply division faced the challenges of land acquisition for laying the pipeline.

The problem was solved to the extent of 95% during the term of former MLA Isidore Fernandes by obtaining NOCs for constructing canals and overhead tanks, but the dam continued to remain a white elephant for about nine years. Now, with assembly speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar pursuing the issue, the administrative approval for the plant has come.

Sources said that the NOC for housing the overhead water tank is in the process of finalisation.