TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Considering the frequent disruptions at Tillari reservoir, and (possibly due to tiff with Maharashtra government), Goa has decided to look for an alternative source of water for irrigation, from the next financial year. In the meanwhile Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has asked the people not to panic, as he was making alternate arrangements.
Responding to a query raised by BJP MLA Kiran Kandolkar on the constant breakdown of water supply to Goa during zero hour proceedings, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said an alternative solution was a must. “We must not depend on Tillari water supply and instead work out a solution in the next financial year that will be complete within a stipulate time frame,” Parrikar declared in the House Friday.
Tillari dam, situated in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, on the Tillari river provides water to three sub-districts in north including to Bicholim, Pernem and Bardez. The water supply to Goa resumed earlier this month after the repair work on the damaged canal at Khanyale in Maharashtra.
However, Kandolkar said, quoting a news report that the water supply was once again disrupted Friday and demanded stern action against those who allegedly creating problems for Goans.
“Is any politics being played on this issue? The canal was broken again only to trouble the Goans,” he alleged.
Water Resources Minister Dayanand Mandrekar also expressed disappointment but advised not to politicise the issue. “We don’t know whether there is any politics behind this. It is better not to politicise the issue, as it is we got the water from Tillari after 15-20 years…We have identified areas to increase the source of water,” the minister replied.
The recent breakdown will be taken care of within another 4-5 days. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, intervened saying if the repairs are not completed on time, Bardez people would be deprived of 25 percent of required water but urged the people not to panic. “We have taken some decision. At least 20 MLD water will be pumped from the ILPL storage in the mining pit of Advalpal. Another 30 MLD will be pumped from Sesa storage,” he said allaying possible fears of water crisis.
Leakage in Tillari canal forces shutdown of supply to Goa
TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
MAYEM: Barely hours after water from the Tillari canal reached Goa, a leakage in the canal forced Maharashtra authorities to stop water supply on Thursday night.
According to reports, the water which reached Goa on Thursday, but the canal began to develop a leakage at Sateli-Maharashtra and fearing further damage to the canal, Tillari authorities stopped the flow of water at about 9 pm.
Sources alleged that previous repair work of the canal undertaken by the Maharashtra government was of substandard quality and the canal breached at the site for the second time within a few weeks.
When contacted, Tillari official Dhiraj Sale said: “The repair work is in progress and we are hopeful of releasing water soon.”
The disruption of water supply from the Tillari canal for the fourth time within the last few months has been yet another setback to the State.
“It is unfortunate that water has been stopped yet again and it is very difficult to know the position of the Maharashtra government on the Tillari water issue,” said Sal Sarpanch Ghanashyam Raut.
Farmers from Bicholim have welcomed the efforts of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to make alternative water arrangement for farmers from the Chapora River without relying on the Tillari water.
They have also demanded an inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds of Rs 1,154 crore by the Maharashtra government, by undertaking substandard work on the Tillari canal.
