PONDA: The Curti-Khandepar Panchayat had issued stop work order to the construction of drinking water barrage/bandhara at Murdi Khandepar. In a letter to the Water Resources Department, Assistant Engineer at Ponda the panchayat has said that it has not given any NOC for carrying out construction of bandhara/barrage, rooms, and water pumping station. The panchayat warned to take strict legal action if the work is not stopped.
The construction on Rs 100 cr drinking water bandhara / barrage on Khandepar river has been started by Government recently at Murdi Khandepar. However it is facing stiff opposition from locals both at Curti-Khandepar and Usgao Panchayat at other end. The reason is villagers at both sides fear that if the bandhara is constructed than it would lead to major flooding in area. Already they faced major flash floods in 2021 in Khandepar as well as Usgao, when several houses flooded and this is one strong reason they oppose the bandhara which could further worsen the problem.
On other hand, the government recently started work from Murdi Khandepar, and Section 144 was also imposed which faced stiff opposition from locals. This is the 19th bandhara on Opa Khandepar river and government has taken the project to meet water requirement of Priol and parts of Ponda. The project involves a barrage to store raw water and water pumping station. The raw water will be supplied to proposed treatment plant at Priol.
The locals even met Governor of Goa few days back recently demanding to stop the bandhara work.
