"The directors of forest and environment, and mines and geology have been asked to inspect the site and shift the iron ore dumps which are being washed into the reservoir...We want that these dumps should be shifted from the site immediately," Public Works Department Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar told the state legislative assembly.
He was responding to a question raised by BJP legislator Vishnu Wagh and Congress MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar.
Admitting that the situation at the reservoir is grim, Dhavalikar said efforts are on to decrease the content of manganese in the water.
The purification at Selaulim reservoir, which supplies water to 80 per cent of Goa, was affected after manganese content in the water was found to be 3.5 mg, compared to the permissible level of 0.5 mg.
Wagh pointed out there are 17 mining leases operational within 500 metres of the reservoir, of which 12 are within 200 metres.
