PANJIM: To further augment and conserve water, Goa Water Resources Department (WRD) is planning to construct a minimum of ten bandharas in the Mhadei basin by 2023.
The 10 priority projects have been identified at Golali, Dongurwada, Zarme and Keri in Sattari; Kajumol, Suktoli and Tatodi in Dharbandora; Nirankal and Kodal in Ponda and Adval in Bicholim.
Highly-placed sources said the government is focusing on implementing the Mhadei Master Plan of 1998, which had proposed construction of bandharas for irrigation and drinking water purpose.
“Survey investigations and contour survey of 10 projects, which had commenced in April, last year, are still underway,” sources said, adding that the department intends to take up these projects by 2023, after obtaining all the statutory permissions.
Kajumol and Tatodi in Dharbandora taluka are being taken up on priority and their survey has been completed. “The projects will be taken up in a phased manner from the coming year,” sources said.
Goa is fighting a legal battle with Karnataka over diversion of the River Mhadei water.
In August 2018, the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal had allotted Goa 24 TMC for municipal water needs, irrigation water requirements and industrial water demands. Karnataka was allocated 13.42 TMC and Maharashtra got the lowest share of 1.33 TMC to meet its in-basin needs with respect to five projects.
Herald had reported in October last year that the Master Plan 1998 proposes 61 minor dams, of which Amthane and Anjunem are already complete.
Sources said the government’s vision document has laid emphasis to ensure water security by 2025 by identifying, planning and constructing new storage dams.
