PERNEM: Work of the pump house at Bailpar continues even despite Casarvane panchayat issuing stop work notice.
Casarvane villagers, especially farmers, are battling against pump house project which is undertaken by WRD at the Riverbank of Bailpar in Casarvane. The estimated cost is almost Rs 26 crore.
Villagers said that through this pump house, WRD will pump water and further release it in Tilary canal. According to sources, out of the total water pumped, 5MLD will go for Mopa airport, 15 MLD will be taken to Chandel water treatment while 30 MLD for Tuem treatment plant.
“Even after issuing stop notice, the work has not stopped. Of the total pumped water, there won’t be enough water left for the farmers to cultivate their lands. Work of the project is completely wrong. I think the concerned department has not studied the project since already work of a dam is ongoing at Kalne and once this project at Kalne completes, how our river is going to get enough water flow is a questionable?” a local said.
If any project is coming up in the village, the government department should obtain NOC from the local Panchayat. Farmers will suffer badly since the water which is actually conserved for agriculture purpose will be diverted to industry and private projects – five-star hotels, casinos, real estate projects, villagers said.
“The government is making this provision now because they know later people will not allow them. Biodiversity is being destroyed. If work of the project is not stopped then we will have to suffer for water while fields will go dry,” villagers said.
Meanwhile environmentalist Abhijit Prabhudesai visited the site on Tuesday during which he said that the said project is completely illegal.
