Residents across Mormugao taluka continue to grapple with severe water supply disruptions. Comprising the constituencies of Vasco, Mormugao, Dabolim, and Cortalim, the region demands 80 to 82 MLD (Million Litres per Day) of treated water. Yet, erratic power supply, pipeline damage, and limited tanker availability have left over one lakh residents dependent on private water deliveries.
While Public Works Department (PWD) officials claim that replacing ageing cement pipelines with newer MS pipelines has marginally improved flow, the overall situation remains grim. Residents report frequent dry taps, with supply delays stretching into days, especially in higher-altitude areas. The Selaulim water treatment plant, a key source for the region, is plagued by voltage fluctuations and recurring power cuts.
These issues regularly disrupt the operation of reservoirs and pumping stations throughout South Goa. Officials also confirmed that around 3 to 4 MLD from the total output is diverted to a northern constituency, but claimed that this redistribution has not compromised supply in Mormugao. Despite such assurances, ground realities tell a different story. Residents often find themselves at the mercy of private tanker operators, who charge between ₹900 and ₹1,500 per trip.
As demand peaks during outages, these tankers frequently prioritise housing societies and apartment complexes, leaving smaller households to wait or pay more. The PWD currently operates a single government tanker from its Baina office in Vasco, managing only 8 to 10 trips daily—woefully inadequate to meet taluka-wide demand. Calls for additional hired tankers have intensified, with residents urging authorities to take urgent steps to mitigate the monopoly of private suppliers.
The local municipal council has now deployed its own tanker during emergencies, but this stopgap measure barely scratches the surface of the larger issue. To strengthen emergency reserves, the PWD has proposed constructing an overhead storage tank near Meta Strips in Upasnagar. However, the project remains in the planning stage, offering no immediate relief.
While short-term fixes continue to dominate the response, there is growing concern that Mormugao’s water supply infrastructure needs a systemic overhaul. Experts emphasise the need for improved inter-departmental coordination, reliable power backup at pumping stations, and a more equitable distribution mechanism.
