Panaji: State govt is testing new technology in a pilot project to draw water from mining pits as an emergency backup, drinking water minister Subhash Phal Dessai said on Tuesday. He said that the system could be deployed within three months if water levels drop during summer months.“We will test this system at one place and keep this technology ready,” he said. He was speaking on the sidelines of the water metro project on Tuesday.On the sidelines, he called for stricter construction regulations, saying that panchayats must consult govt before issuing licenses for high-rise buildings to avoid water scarcity in villages.“Without taking permission for water from the panchayat, some illegal constructions take place after which they then approach the panchayat and claim that they are legal. We need to see if it is viable to lay down the pipeline. Sometimes they say they will make their own water arrangement, but then later approach the PWD for water, and govt is forced to comply. As a result, the water availability certificate needs to be sought beforehand,” he said.He further said that Goa’s requirement for water is 700MLD, however there are some leakages. “We have been trying to fix these leakages which is why we have drastically reduced dependence upon tanker water this season,” he said.
