the goan I network
BICHOLIM
Voicing concern over the leakage at the Damna Dam, Water Resources Department Minister Filipe Nery Rodrigues on Tuesday said he would raise the issue with Maharashtra officials at a joint high-level meeting to be convened
shortly.
Rodrigues was inspecting the Tillari Dam and other dams in the area as a follow up to the recent flooding in areas around the Chapora river after excess water was released.
The minister was accompanied by Tillari WRD Superintendent Engineer Milind Naik, Executive Engineer Rakesh Dhaktode, Assistant Engineer Anil Landge, Goa’s Superintendent Engineer Pramod Badami, AE K P Naik and other officials from Goa and Maharashtra who are associated with the Tillari irrigation project.
During his visit, villagers and local activists highlighted the problems in the Tillari Dam area and Rodrigues assured to raise their grievances during the joint high-level meeting with Maharashtra officials. Rodrigues sought details from the officials regarding water being discharged from the canal and water levels at the dam.
Rodrigues later inspected the Konal canal and Sandwa ditch canal constructed to drain excess water from the Tillari dam.
The minister also voiced concern after being apprised of the leakage at the Damna dam and insisted it should be plugged immediately to prevent further damage and danger. He assured of discussions on the issue with the Maharashtra officials at the high-level meeting to be convened shortly.
Rodrigues also visited the landslide site at Sasoli Bhatwadi which had led to stoppage of water supply from the Right Canal of Tillari Dam to Pernem taluka and said the matter would also be discussed with Maharashtra officials.
During the minister’s visit, local Shiv Sena leader Gopal Gawas and panchayat member Mahesh Londhe submitted a memorandum to Rodrigues demanding a Chief Executive Engineer’s office, security guards, streetlights and other infrastructure
in the area.
