Panaji: Though state govt has maintained that Goa has sufficient raw water despite deficient rainfall, it has revised its plans to shut both Tillari canals for major repairs. The right bank canal supply to Goa was stopped on Oct 20, while the left bank canal was scheduled to be shut 15 days later. However, the govt has now informed Maharashtra officials that it will not shut the second canal this year. A decision on its closure will be taken only in March 2027.Water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar had announced earlier this year that supplies from both Tillari canals would be stopped from Oct 1 for three months to carry out repairs. He said the canals had deteriorated over the past 30 years, particularly on the Maharashtra side.However, engineers overseeing the Tillari project were later informed that only the right-bank canal would be shut from Oct 20. This was because the new pumping house at Sal, intended as a backup to supply water to Bardez, Bicholim and Pernem, would not be ready by Oct 1 due to technical issues.The work order for repairs to the right bank canal had been pending since Jan 2026. Water supply through it will resume in Jan 2027.The repairs will involve lining the canals with 15cm-thick reinforced concrete. The right-bank canal is 24km long, while the left-bank canal stretches 18km.The Tillari irrigation project in Dodamarg, Maharashtra, supplies 73% of the water Goa uses for drinking and irrigation. The remaining water is used in Maharashtra exclusively for irrigation.While the canals on the Maharashtra side have developed leakages over the years, those on the Goa side have already undergone repairs and maintenance.The works have been pending for five to six years. Goa was waiting to put alternative arrangements in place before undertaking the prolonged closure, as Tillari water meets drinking water requirements in Bardez and parts of Pernem and Bicholim talukas.
