Repair work on the damaged 750 mm rising main pipeline at Opa water treatment plant in Goa has been successfully completed, bringing relief to thousands of residents across Tiswadi taluka, including key urban zones like Panaji, Taleigao, and St. Andre. The pipeline burst, which occurred early Monday morning, had led to an abrupt halt in potable water supply across these regions.
According to officials from the Water Resources Department and Public Works Department (PWD), intensive repair work was carried out throughout the day and concluded late Monday evening. As of Tuesday morning, water supply was being gradually restored, with full normalisation expected soon. The disruption affected both residential and commercial areas leading to long queues at water tankers and increased dependence on private supply vendors.
Several households had to ration drinking water and postpone routine activities. In some areas, schools and small businesses were forced to temporarily shut down due to lack of water access. Officials said the delay in repairs was partly due to the complexity of the pipeline’s location and the need for precision in replacement work to avoid further damage.
The Opa water treatment plant is one of Goa’s most critical infrastructure assets, supplying treated water to large portions of North Goa. Experts have long warned that ageing water pipelines and lack of regular upgrades pose a serious risk to public utility resilience. Civic groups have raised concerns about the recurring frequency of pipeline bursts and urged the government to invest in long-term solutions.
This latest incident has once again brought attention to the urgent need for preventive maintenance and sustainable urban planning in Goa’s fast-growing talukas. PWD engineers on site confirmed that the new segment installed uses more durable materials, expected to last longer and withstand pressure fluctuations.
The department has also initiated an internal review to determine if similar vulnerabilities exist in adjoining pipelines. Meanwhile, the Goa government has directed all taluka-level authorities to update their emergency response protocols to reduce public inconvenience during future water disruptions.
