http://oheraldo.in/node/8931
Tillari revival brings water to Pernem BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 23 – Rane government's efforts to revive the Tillari project has brought in water to Pernem taluka. Raw water from the Maharashtra-Goa joint project has reached Chandel from the right bank canal and is being utilized for irrigation purpose. It is sufficient to irrigate 300 hectares, Chief Secretary J K Dadoo said today. To meet drinking water requirement, Public Works Department has issued a tender for setting up water treatment plant. The project, which was almost brought to a standstill by the BJP government was revived by the Congress-led coalition government in September 2005. Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues soon after joining the Rane ministry last month ordered that the work be expedited so that not only irrigation needs but also water requirements are met. A budgetary allocation of Rs 50 crore has also been made in the current financial year. Sources said that Goa has to pay more than Rs 150 crore for the completion of the high escalation-cost project. Of this, a contribution of Rs 35 crore has been made to Maharashtra recently, sources added. It is also learnt that with the work having been expedited, water is likely to be released in a couple of weeks in the left bank canal which will benefit parts of Bicholim and Bardez. Officials however, said that for the entire project to be completed in toto, it would take more than a year to two when not only more areas will be provided with water but the capacity will also be high. It may be recalled that the BJP government three years ago ordered a review by a Pune-based agency allegedly having affiliations to Sangh Parivar and since then was never given funds for its completion. Prior to that, with much fanfare, it had announced that water was released on December 19, 2002 but when media persons went to do a report there in December-end they found that it was released only for one day! -- May your God be with you. Gabe Menezes. London, England