PANAJI: The Panaji Smart City initiative is making significant strides in water management by implementing a 24×7 water supply system integrated with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and Smart Water Meters. Following the success of Phase 1, which resulted in substantial water conservation and revenue recovery, Phase 2 aims to expand smart water metering across the city. This transformative project is being overseen by Gautami U Gauns Gaonkar (Civil Engineer) and Palash Chodankar (Civil Engineer) from the IPSCDL team.
IPSCDL’s Phase 1 initiative laid the foundation for modernized and automated water management, integrating SCADA and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to reduce water losses, improve billing accuracy and optimize supply distribution. The modernization of Opa Water Works, with an investment of Rs 3.95 crore, included an upgrade of the electrical infrastructure, replacement of old transformers, installation of Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) panels and enhanced system efficiency. In addition, a Smart Water Supply System, costing Rs 6.6 crore, introduced electromagnetic flow meters, pressure sensors and IoT software for real-time monitoring, along with a centralized command center ensuring efficient water supply.
To further optimize water distribution, Rs 10.74 crore was allocated for the upgradation of pumping infrastructure, including the installation of new centrifugal and vertical turbine pumps, enhancing both reliability and efficiency. A key milestone was the deployment of 3,088 Smart Water Meters across the city at a cost of Rs 8.54 crore, which reduced Non-Revenue Water (NRW) from 61% to 14%, effectively plugging a 47% revenue loss and saving 4.8 crore liters of water annually. To ensure a continuous and efficient water supply, Rs 29.9 crore was invested in constructing new raw water pump houses, shore intake structures, clear water sumps and Master Balancing Reservoirs (MBRs), alongside improvements to the pumping infrastructure. This technological overhaul has not only optimized Panaji’s water distribution but has also improved service levels, reduced losses and enabled real-time monitoring.
Building on these successes, Phase 2 will further enhance Panaji’s water management system with an investment of Rs 18 crore. The plan includes the installation of 8,000 additional Smart Water Meters, upgradation of electrical and mechanical infrastructure and enhancement of real-time monitoring with SCADA, ensuring faster leak detection, improved efficiency and water conservation. The initiative is expected to save 12.19 crore liters of water annually, translating into Rs 2.03 crore in revenue savings per year.
The SCADA system serves as the central nervous system of Panaji’s water supply, allowing for real-time monitoring of water consumption, pressure and leak detection, as well as automated controls that optimize supply and minimize wastage. This system enables data-driven decision-making, helping city officials manage resources efficiently and proactively address challenges.
Sanjit Rodrigues, CEO & MD of IPSCDL, said “Water is one of our most precious resources, and through smart interventions like SCADA and Smart Water Meters we are ensuring its efficient use while reducing wastage. The success of Phase 1 has shown us the potential of technology in sustainable urban water management. With Phase 2, we are committed to making Panaji a model city for 24×7 water supply, where every drop counts and every citizen benefits.”