Goa not yet vigilant about dam at Virdi

PANAJI: In a new twist to the controversy over the construction of the Virdi dam along Goa's border, the Maharashtra government has shifted the site of the proposed dam and worked out new modalities for its construction.
Following opposition from the Goa government, Maharashtra has now sited the project between two hills, Tamb and Tadiachia Khalacho Dongor, in Virdi.This site is 600 metres in length and has a height of 48 metres, while the submergence and command areas are 100 hectares and 1,320 hectares respectively. The total expenditure of the project totals Rs 43 crore and will result in the displacement of eight families from around the Savoiwadi area.
Speaking to TOI, Goa's minister for water resources and forests Filipe Neri Rodrigues said, "The cm and the chief secretary have written to the Maharashtra government asking them not to go ahead with the project without the Goa government's approval. As they have shifted their construction site away from the Goa border, we are confused whether the Maharashtra government is serious with the project or not. At the meeting, we asked them to give details about their construction design and we got an assurance from them on the same. As soon as they produce these documents, we can take further action."