The new Mopa airport in north Goa has led to unprecedented water woes for almost 7,000 residents spread across 6 villages. Our researcher @___mpg____
uncovered how its construction has decimated the region’s water table and is threatening water security and livelihoods.

Constructed by concretising the Barazan plateau, the international airport has been controversial since it was first proposed in 2000. Locals opposed it fearing biodiversity loss, and considered the project as a severe environmental threat.

Oversights in the initial Environment Impact Assessment report and allegations of illegalities in land acquisition led to several agitations and litigation by local communities since 2008. The airport was finally inaugurated in January 2023, and soon the water problems began.

The Barazan plateau’s unique geology, and its perennial springs and rivulets, made it a massive groundwater recharge zone. “The reason Pernem could flourish all these years was because of its plentiful water resources,” said Vinayak Mahale, former sarpanch of Mopa village.

A hydrogeological study from 2015 had already foreshadowed the water scarcity, noting that mega infrastructure projects such as the airport were “likely to disturb the recharge zones for the aquifer system feeding the natural springs of Barazan plateau.”

In addition to groundwater depletion, construction on the plateau also intensified floods, as natural water channels originating from the plateau got blocked. “Huge boulders flowing with the rainwater rushed down from the plateau during the rains in 2022, which nearly annihilated our village,” recalled Mahale.

The airport project’s mitigation attempts, such as rain-water harvesting for groundwater recharge, were labelled as “weak” and incomparable to natural groundwater recharge, as per a paper published in 2020.

Post construction, the project’s water needs have led to diversion of water from local sources. The Tillari Irrigation Canal, built to sustain local agriculture, is one such diversion and has angered farmers. They claim that the diversion of Tillari’s water is a subversion of their rights.

“We never needed taps for water, there were always streams flowing,” said Sandeep Kambli, from Varconda village. Kambli’s house is located close to a stream flowing from the Barazan plateau. This is now being dammed by the local government in order to supply water to the airport.

Due to an increase in water shortages, significant amounts of public funds are now being spent on water-related infrastructure, including a Rs. 350 crore water treatment project and 2 pump-houses costing Rs. 27 crore.

The airport’s current projections envision servicing 4.4 million passengers annually. By 2045, this number is slated to increase to 13.1 million passengers. Additionally, hotels, casinos and employee housing infrastructure proposed within the airport premises are all likely to significantly increase its water requirements.

Read full report by our researcher @___mpg____
in @MongabayIndia
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/residents-activists-claim-new-goa-airport-construction-has-impacted-water-availability/?amp=1…