PANJIM: With Goa raising concern over repeated breaches in recent years in the Tillari canals carrying water from the project in Maharashtra to the coastal State, the Maharashtra government agreed for the revival of the dilapidated and leaking left and right bank canals at an estimated cost of Rs 330 crore within a month’s time.
After almost a decade, the meeting of the Inter-State Control Board of Tillari Irrigation project was held in Mumbai on Saturday in presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Goa WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar.
At the meeting, an outlay of Rs 330 crore was approved for revitalisation of the canals of the ambitious Irrigation Project, a joint venture between the two States of Maharashtra and Goa. During the meeting, Maharashtra government also agreed to conduct a detail study before increasing the height of the canal as proposed.
Speaking to media persons post meeting, Sawant said that maintenance and repairs of the canal was the prime agenda and Maharashtra agreed to repair all canals in 30 days time. He said that the project is a prime source of water for irrigation and drinking purpose for talukas of Pernem, Bardez, Bicholim, and now for Mopa International Airport.
“The meeting also decided to provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to additional 22 families affected by the project in Sindhudurg,” Sawant said.
A decision was also taken on this occasion to set up a joint office for canal revival and control at the Tillari project site.
Further Sawant said that with regards to Virdi dam, both the States agreed to conduct a environment impact study through NEERI. “If the dam is constructed and water is used within the basin, then Goa will also benefit,” he said.
The project was conceived to irrigate 23,654 ha of land that includes 16,978 in Goa and 6,676 in Maharashtra. The project was initially started in 1986 in Maharashtra and 1988 in Goa.
