Team Herald
MARGAO: Upon receiving a memorandum from Caetano Hilario, Sarpanch of Curtorim panchayat, the Prime Minister’s Office has directed the Ministry of Water Resources and River Development to send an urgent reply to the petitioner, pertaining to the approval given to Karnataka’s DPR for their Mhadei diversion project.
“I am eagerly waiting for the reply from the departments concerned, to the letter filed before the PMO,” said Hilario. In the letter, the Sarpanch has informed the office of Prime Minister that the panchayat has unanimously resolved to save the Mhadei and urged the Centre to withdraw its approval given to Karnataka’s DPR in the interest of preventing the destruction of flora and fauna, and maintain a balanced ecosystem.
The water is also used for irrigating vast agricultural lands in Goa and for domestic consumption in Sattari and Bicholim taluka.
“The scarcity of water from the Mhadei will put these talukas in severe distress. The shortfall will have to be compensated from Selaulim and other reservoirs. This will have a cascading effect, leading to water shortages in Salcete, including Maina-Curtorim village,” said the memorandum.
