PANAJI
Amidst media reports that Karnataka is now eyeing to divert Tillari water, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday out rightly dismissed the neighbouring State’s claim for water share.
Speaking to media, Sawant informed that as per Irrigational agreement between Goa and Maharashtra, 80 per cent of water from the Tillari dam is exclusively reserved for Goa while 20 per cent is for Maharashtra.
He said that Goa has got the maximum right over Tillari water besides bearing the maintenance cost of the project as and when required.
“At any cost, Maharashtra cannot divert or share Tillari water with Karnataka,” Sawant said.
There have been media reports that Karnataka, which is already fighting a water battle with Goa and Maharashtra over Mhadei, has moved a proposal to Maharashtra to divert Tillari water through Markdey River to Ghatprabhat.
Further speaking, the Chief Minister said that the State has recently requested Maharashtra to increase the height of the dam, which will help in enhancing the water storage capacity of it in a bid to meet the growing demand.
Tillari Irrigation Project is a joint venture of Government of Goa and Government of Maharashtra, to irrigate an area of 23654 ha (16978 Ha in Goa and 6676 Ha in Maharashtra) benefiting Pernem, Bicholim and Bardez talukas in North Goa district of Goa State and Dodamarg and Sawantwadi Taluka of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra State.
The project has been place since 1988 and was done at an estimated cost of over Rs 1200 crore.
