Tension prevails as Usgao-Khandepar locals oppose bandhara on river fearing flooding

PONDA: Tension prevailed at both ends of Khandepar River bank at Usgao and Khandepar as the Water Resources Department (WRD) began construction of bandhara. 

The locals opposed the project fearing it would cause floods in monsoon and also many tenants were kept in dark. 

The WRD had planned Rs 80 crore bandhara on Khandepar River for meeting the growing requirement of drinking water in Priol and Ponda.

However, there was trouble waiting for officials, including Ponda Mamlatdar, who visited at site along with officials and contractor for commencing work on bandhara including survey in river bed. 

In the morning, officials reached at Sonarbag-Usgao. However,   locals already present at the site strongly opposed it. The local panch member Vinod Mascarenhas assured panchayat’s support to locals.

Later, they visited Murdi Khandepar side of bandhara. Here too, locals were present in large numbers opposing the project, fearing flooding in monsoon. 

While the WRD officials arrived with a large contingent of police force to maintain law and order, the locals too were prepared at the river banks to oppose construction work, saying that they are ready to face arrest but will not allow work on bandhara construction. 

The officials showed them the government work order. However, the locals alleged that some of the tenants were not taken into confidence and their NOCs were not valid as they were not informed properly.

The Village Panchayats of Curti-Khandepar and Usgao-Ganjem had already passed resolution in gram sabhas, opposing the project on river banks on their sides. 

The locals at both river banks said there was no proper verification of documents and legal heirs were not taken into confidence. The locals said they were even ready for arrest, but will oppose the project. 

Locals said, “Some of tenants submitted fake documents claiming as owners.”

WRD Assistant Engineer Shailesh Gaude rejected the allegations of locals and also said they should not worry as bandhara will not store water in rainy season. 

He said, “The work order for bandhara construction is already issued by the government. It is for drinking water needs of people as people are facing water crisis in summer.” 

“Already there are more than 18 bandharas on Opa River and this project will be at the downstream of Khandepar River. The water at the proposed bandhara will be stored after rainy season.” 

“The locals earlier opposed construction of bandhara at downstream. So we proposed it 500 metres upstream at an elevated height. Still, Murdi locals opposed it. This bandhara will be opened in rainy season so that river water is allowed to flow and there are no chances of flooding,” Gaude said.