PANAJI
The water resource department has plans to built a 'bandhara' (a mini dam) across the Mhadei river. However, the locals and environmentalists are opposing this proposed project.
Due to opposition from the locals, Khandepar-Curti Gram Panchayat has already revoked the NOC given for this project.
"This project is coming up at a place where the sweet water and saltwater meet. There is a special ecosystem that flourishes in such an area. If projects of stopping water come up in this type of area then the whole ecosystem will be in jeopardy. This will have a very bad ecological impact," said environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar.
Local resident Sandeep Parker said that fishing and Farming are the major occupations of the Scheduled Tribe community staying in the area.
"This project will affect both fishing as well as farming. When Ganje project is serving the purpose, this project is unwarranted," said Parker.
The Water resource dept officials however are saying that this project has already been approved and is important for improving the supply of potable water to the State.
"This project is important as far as portable water is concerned. However, we found that locals are opposed to the project. We will study the opposing views", said Pramod Badami, Chief Engineer Water Resource Department.
Water will be stopped by building a bandhara across Mhadei river and will be piped to a tank at Shitole.
The project had been approved in 2011. Initially, Rs 78 crore had been sanctioned for the project now the project will cost around Rs 106 crore. It is interesting to note that the Opa water treatment plant is on the same river and a few kilometers ahead of this plant.
