MARGAO
In an interesting development, the Department of Water Resources in the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has pointed out that the DPRs of Kalasa Nala diversion scheme (lift scheme) and Bhandura Nala diversion scheme (lift scheme) has been found technically acceptable by the Central Water Commission.
The Under Secretary to the Government of India, Abhiram Kumar has further said the DPRs of the two schemes have been found technically acceptable by the Central Water Commission from hydrology and inter-state aspects subject to certain strict compliance. He said the same has been communicated by the CWC to the project authorities of the concerned state on December 29, 2022.
The Under Secretary to the government of India conveyed this information to the sarpanch of the Village Panchayat of Chinchinim Valentino Barretto after the panchayat body had sent a resolution to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry opposing the diversion of the Mhadei river waters.
The Chinchinim sarpanch said the Goa government should take note of the letter written by the Union Jal Shakti to the village panchayat since it speaks of the two water diversion schemes technically acceptable by the Central Water Commission.
The Chinchinim gram sabha had also opposed the diversion of the Mhadei river water at the last meeting held on Sunday, wherein the members unanimously objected to the DPR nod given to Karnataka and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
“The panchayat had sent a resolution to the Union Jal Shakti objecting to the move to the diversion of river Mhadei waters by Karnataka. We had demanded immediate withdrawal of the DPR nod given to Karnataka,” Valentino said, even as he expressed shock and surprise that the Union Jal Shakti Ministry official has virtually justified the DPRs since they have been found technically acceptable by the Central Water Commission.
The sarpanch has said the Chinchinim panchayat, which is one of the first panchayat bodies in the State of Goa, to adopt a resolution demanding withdrawal of the DPRs, will continue to support the ongoing campaign to Save Mhadei and Save Goa.
