PANAJI: The Public Works Department Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao has said that the water supply to Porvorim and surrounding areas would be normalised by the end of December 2010, even as he went on to add that the government would study the proposal for setting up a 50 MLD water treatment plant to meet the needs of Bardez taluka under public-private partnership.

Agreeing with the statements made by the members of the House about poor water supply in Porvorim and other areas, Mr Alemao said that water supply was affected by frequent power cuts. He also said that present water supply infrastructure in Porvorim and surrounding areas was not adequate and was being upgraded to ensure better supply of water.

He, however, said that following the commissioning of 10 MLD water supply plant at Assonora, the situation of acute water shortage has eased to a great extent and would further improve when the whole project was completed in December and that areas would get water for at least six hours per day.

He also said the proposed project when completed would help meet the water supply demands till 2025.

Earlier, moving the resolution the BJP MLA from Saligao, Mr Dilip Parulekar demanded that the government should initiate steps to set up 50 MLD water treatment plant near the National Highway at Guirim in order to permanently solve the water problems of the residents of Porvorim, which is located at the end point.

He said that part commissioning of plant at Assonora has not provided relief to the people of Porvorim. He was supported by Mr Dayanand Narvekar and leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar. Following assurance by the PWD Minister, the resolution was withdrawn by the leave of the House.