PANAJI
In a temporary relief to the Goa government, its counterpart in Maharashtra has stopped the work on the Virdi dam. However, there are apprehensions that authorities might resume the works after a brief lull.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the development stating the action followed in view of a notice by the Goa Water Resources Department directing to stop the work. The WRD officials also visited the site along with environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar who red-flagged the authorities about the ongoing work.
Speaking to The Goan thereafter, Kerkar said the Maharashtra officials are likely to resume the work in 3-4 days. “Everything has stopped for now. The huge machineries and other materials brought to the site are parked in a shed there... But when I made inquiries with the officials and workers there, they said the work will resume in 3-4 days,” he said.
Kerkar had alerted the government that excavators, trucks, and labourers were at the site and the Maharashtra officials were deputed across the Kattika nullah, a tributary of River Valvanti located in the Virdi village panchayat at Dodamarg taluka.
In 2018, the Goa government had raised objections before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal over preparations by Maharashtra following an inspection by Goa’s expert officials. The Tribunal then granted 1.33 TMC ft of water for in-basin use.
