PERNEM
Before the 2017 assembly elections, Dhavlikar had assured to set up an additional 30 MLD water treatment plant at Tuem, since water provided to Mandrem constituency from the Chandel water treatment plant had deprived Pernem constituency of its share of water supply.
Then CM Parsekar had even laid the foundation stone for a treatment plant at Tuem.
When media persons asked Dhavalikar if he would pursue the project at Tuem, Dhavalikar replied: “I have no idea about this project as no tender had been floated in this connection. No work can taken up without floating a tender and the former CM should be answerable to this project.”
Dhavalikar was interacting with reporters during an inspection of the water treatment plant at Chandel, which falls in Pernem constituency.
“Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has a good hold on administration and no work will be undertaken without floating a tender. The previous chief minister had undertaken projects without any tender and I am not responsible for it,” said Dhavalikar.
Tourism minister Manohar ‘Babu’ Azgaonkar said Chandel village was deprived of adequate water supply, despite having a water treatment plant in the locality.
“Water from the Chandel treatment plant should first be supplied to Pernem constituency, before it is passed on to Mandrem constituency.
When contacted, Parsekar explained that a foundation stone had been laid for the 30 MLD water treatment plant at Tuem to ensure 24-hour regular water supply to Pernem taluka. “But the tender was not floated in this regard, but there was administrative approval,” admitted Parsekar.
“As there was less water supply from the Chandel water treatment plant, we had plans to lift raw water from the Sal river at Dhargal and supplying that water to the proposed water treatment plant at Tuem. That way, Mandrem constituency would have received 24-hour water supply,” he added.
