TEAM HERALD
PONDA: WRD Minister Dayanand Mandrekar on Thursday asked his officials to expedite all pending files pertaining to irrigation related projects before the Code of Conduct comes into effect for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
“With proper management, we can protect and develop water resources which will help to improve irrigation. This year, many areas are being cultivated probably due to stoppage in mining activity. Agriculture is of utmost important and I would request farmers not to stop cultivating land,” said Mandrekar after laying the foundation stone for two bandharas along the Kapileshwari Nullah at Kavlem in Madkaim constituency. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 46.68 lakhs.
“There are various government schemes and I had asked the officials (WRD) to see to it that files pertaining to irrigation related projects are cleared before the election code (Lok Sabha) of conduct comes into effect”, said Mandrekar.
According to information, the two bandharas are being built to improve irrigation facilities for the benefit of farming in Kavlem and Bandora.
PWD Minister and Madkaim MLA Sudin Dhavlikar stated that though there are several fresh water streams at Kavlem, water gets polluted due to household waste water and other factors. “The problem will be solved once the sewerage treatment plant is ready,” he said.
Kavlem Panchayat Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar informed that the land about 1.10 lakh sq meters could not be cultivated for three years due to the ongoing work of nullah and urged authorities to provide financial assistance to the farmers.
“There are about 180 farmers and I request authorities to provide financial assistance to them,” urged Kavlekar.
Incidentally, former Cancona MLA Vijay Pai Khot was also present for the function, fuelling speculation in political circles that Khot could be joining the MGP.
