Tillari canals shut for major repairs for first time in 22 yrs

Panaji: To fix the frequent breaches reported in the Tillari canals over the last couple of years, both the left and right bank canals have been shut for major maintenance and repairs that will be carried out over two months, officials of the state water resources department (WRD) said. This is the first time in 22 years that such major repairs are being taken up.
“Any water requirement (from the Tillari canals) for irrigation in Goa will start only after December. The drinking water requirements of Pernem, Bicholim and Bardez will be met by sourcing water stored in the bandharas. Drinking water supply in Goa will not be affected; it will only be limited as we will have to ration it. No major maintenance works had been carried out on the canals for last 22 years and, if not taken up now, any major damage would mean supply from the canals would have to remain shut for a year,” a Goa WRD official said.
The works, which will be executed by the Tillari irrigation project officials in Maharashtra, will mainly involve restoring the two canals to their original state in places where deterioration is found.
Officials said work is already in progress and restoration of supply to Goa from the Tillari project in Dodamarg, Maharashtra, can be expected by January.
“There are bandharas on the Chandel and the Kalana, from where the PWD pumps water for supply to the Chandel plant to meet Pernem taluka’s water requirements. From the bandharas on the Chapora and the Sal, water is being pumped into the reservoir at Amthane, which is used at the Amthane water treatment plant. This helps meet the drinking water requirements in Bardez and Bicholim,” said a source.
Repeated breaches in recent years in the two Tillari canals carrying water from the project in Maharashtra to Goa were becoming a cause of worry, with some alleging that Maharashtra had not carried out proper maintenance of the canals on its side.