Govt to fine illegal Chimbel borewells, owners may have to cough up Rs 5-10 lakh

Panaji: Following reports of 60-70 illegal borewells found at Chimbel, water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar has directed officials to investigate the matter.
“With the help of the police, we will see to it that these wells are disconnected. If the borewells are found to be unauthorised, fines ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh will be imposed on the offenders,” he said.
Sinking of borewells and transportation of water without the permission of the groundwater officer is a violation of Section 5(3) & 6(1) of the Goa Ground Water Act 2002 and Rules 2003.
“Those who wish to have access to borewells may take our permission and do so. Illegally constructing borewells and availing of its water will not be allowed,” the minister said.
TOI had earlier reported that a site inspection to verify a complaint regarding the digging of an alleged illegal borewell led to the discovery of more than 70 such installations at Dharwadkar housing colony in Chimbel recently. The borewells were dug for domestic consumption as the occupants of several houses in the colony did not have a tap water connection. Ana Gracias, a local activist, filed the complaint with the groundwater officer after she noticed ongoing activity of digging a borewell at Dharwadkar housing colony.
The officials also caught individuals red-handed filling up two water tankers for commercial supply. The WRD consequently issued show-cause notices to the owners of the illegal borewells for further action.
The secretary of Chimbel panchayat has also been served a notice for his failure to furnish information about the owners of houses who dug the borewells.
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‘Trying to direct Tillari water supply to Panaji too’
Panaji: Water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar said efforts are being made to supply water from the Tillari reservoir to Panaji. “We will be able to use water from the Tillari in a big way by May. My plans are to bring the water to Panaji as well. We are working on the scheme,” he said. Chief minister Pramod Sawant had earlier announced that he would hold a joint meeting with Maharashtra govt to discuss redesigning and strengthening of the Tillari canal on the Maharashtra and Goa sides to ensure there are no breaches and that Goa gets uninterrupted water supply from the dam. Sawant said 68% of Tillari’s water is used by Goa for drinking and irrigation purposes. TNN