The Goa government has backed Maharashtra’s Virdi dam project, the very project they had objected to earlier. Goa while presenting its side before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal had opposed the Virdi dam. It is necessary to study the possible effects of the dam as this region is eco sensitive. Otherwise granting permission to go ahead with the project could prove to be costly. In fact, the question is for whom is this dam? There is a huge scope to suspect whether the water is really to quench the thirst of the locals or for someone else. The dam will be built on the Valvanti river which flows through Sattari and Bicholim.
Maharashtra had started this project as a micro dyke project and after changing the location constantly, they’ve brought it forward as a full-fledged dam. The neighbouring state had even begun the work without any permissions which was objected to by Goa. Now if Goa were to support the Virdi dam, then the State will have to change its stance in the Supreme Court regarding the fight for the Mhadei river. It must be checked whether this change in stance will weaken our case before the Apex.
The decisions shouldn’t be taken merely based on political reasons but by keeping in mind what’s in the best interest of the public. It must be pondered whether the decision to increase the height of Tillari dam and approval for Virdi dam are of any benefit to Goa. The truth regarding this has to be presented before the public. It has come to light that the Tillari water irrigation project’s control committee’s meeting hasn’t happened in the last ten years. This shows how lethargically the operations are being run at the administrative level. Although Tillari is a joint project between Goa and Maharashtra, the submerged area and the dam are in Maharashtra. The majority of the rehabilitation took place in Maharashtra and the neighbouring state had played the role of a big brother in this project. Maharashtra in the initial years after Goa’s Liberation had constantly extended their helping hand. Be it Maharashtra or Karnataka, it is of utmost importance to keep a good relationship with either of the neighbours.
Goa receives water from Tillari dam. Initially there were plans to provide water from Tillari to orchards in Goa. The work of building canals was undertaken which later got stalled. There are disputes over how much of land had been brought under irrigation. One thing cannot be denied is that the thirst of Pernem locals is quenched due to the Tillari project. The mega projects such as AYUSH Ministry’s All India Institute of Ayurveda at Dhargal and international airport at Mopa have come up in Pernem taluka. Besides, more projects will come at Dhargalim, Varkhand, Mopa and Poraskade to benefit the investors who invested in the Mopa airport. This also includes entertainment village and reserved section for casinos. A gigantic conference house featuring a seven-star hotel will also be erected in the Mopa airport premises. All these projects will require a large amount of water on an everyday basis. The government will expand the capacity of the water treatment plant at Chandel on a war footing and will also activate another plant at Tuem. However, the water required for this will be brought from Tillari itself. And hence, the government suddenly remembered the meeting of the control committee which did not take place in the last ten years. The government has activated the provision of blocking water at Sal, if the Chandel water treatment plant is facing the shortage. This means the arrangements to provide for Pernem locals were made. Needless to say, the current scarcity that Pernem is going through is only because the water has been directed towards the mega projects. Hence, the truth is that the government remembered Tillari’s water not for the common people but for the projects.
Pernem taluka has been suffering from water shortages for the past one decade, but the government failed to remember Tillari’s water back then. It’ll become difficult to provide water to these projects due to public outburst and that’s the only reason why the government took the stance of increasing the height of the dam. There is nothing surprising here. The demand to compensate for the rehabilitated families from Tillari’s submerged area has been agreed to as well. The government is trying its best to portray the picture that the State will receive more water from Virdi and Tillari. In reality, it’s about increasing the reliance on the neighbouring states for water after shouting ‘Swayampurna Goa’ at the top of the lungs. This situation wouldn’t have arisen if the water resources in the State were conserved and protected. Water security is crucial for Goa and the state’s thirst must be quenched from the water available here. The water from Tillari must be received but the project at Virdi shouldn’t be supported blindly. Otherwise it is feared that the state will face dire consequences in its legal battle on the Mhadei case before the Supreme Court.
