The central government has agreed to consider Goa’s proposal for a Rs 6.5 billion ‘Drink from Tap’ (DfT) scheme aimed at providing round-the-clock potable water supply across the state.

The assurance was given during a high-level review meeting in Panaji between the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Goa’s Chief Minister, which assessed the progress of key urban development initiatives.

Goa is seeking Rs 3.26 billion in central assistance under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0. The DfT project includes water source augmentation, infrastructure upgrades, network rehabilitation, smart metering, and IoT-based monitoring systems. The Union Minister instructed officials to evaluate the proposal under the scheme.

Highlighting Goa’s unique urban pressures, especially from peak tourist inflows, the Chief Minister also requested enhanced support under AMRUT 2.0 and Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0. In response, the Union Minister agreed to explore policy changes to aid tourism-centric states.

The meeting also reviewed progress under major programmes such as the Smart Cities Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), and PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi).

Goa was urged to speed up pending water and sanitation works, revise action plans, and enhance proposal submissions. Officials were also asked to promote PMAY-U 2.0 to improve housing uptake and to submit proposals under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme to expand clean urban mobility.

The Union Minister stressed the importance of strategic urban planning and greater public-private partnerships to support sustainable growth in the state.