PANAJI
The coming 60 days starting October 15 could be challenging for several densely populated parts of North Goa as the Maharashtra government is undertaking repair and maintenance of the Tillari dam canal till Dec 15.
The work will largely affect the coastal belt of Pernem and Bardez besides Bicholim among various other parts of the district, though the Goa government will coordinate with its counterparts to ensure timely completion. The works are being executed by the Tillari Irrigation project officials in Maharashtra.
Minister for Water Resources Department (WRD) Subhash Shirodkar has assured that the government will try to tide over the water shortage through supply from Assnora, Anjunem and Amthane dams.
“The expenditure of Rs 330 crore was approved for the revival of these canals of the Tillari Inter-State Irrigation Project of Maharashtra and Goa, during the sixth meeting of the Control Board of the Tillari Inter-State Dam Project in June. The Maharashtra authorities have set a deadline of December 15. We will work in close coordination to ensure timely or early completion of the work,” the minister said while speaking to the media at Porvorim on Monday.
For the first time in 22 years, the Tillari canals were shut in December 2022 to fix frequent breaches on both “ left and right bank canals, which are years old. The maintenance work underwent for two months before it was restored.
Shirodkar further stated that the Goa government is contemplating bringing water into the canals from rivers instead of dams for now, as it aims to conserve water in the dams to be used in summer months.
“Kushavati water will be brought till Navelim and pumped into the canals instead of getting it from Salaulim dam to conserve water. Several other projects including 250 MLD project on river Sal, desilting and retaining wall on the river bank for river Tar- file and building of 100 check dams or bandharas is in the pipeline,” he stated.
While the first project will commence on Oct 20, the third one will begin across all the rivers by April-May 2024. “Each of these bandharas will cost between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh… the Khandepar Bandhara work was delayed due to the monsoons but will be completed soon,” he added.
