Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant informed that the State of Goa will be on track to generate enough revenue in the coming years and won’t require to take more loans. He made this announcement at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the construction of a barrage and 250 MLD raw water supply pumping station on Chapora River at Sal-Ibrampur village. The project will supply drinking water to Bicholim, Bardez, and Pernem taluka, and is expected to cost around 350 crores.
Dr Sawant stressing the importance of community support for the project, as the barrage will provide connectivity between Sal-Imbrampur villages said that irrigation societies will be formed to encourage more people to practice agriculture and horticulture.
Shri Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for WRD, Co-operation and Provedoria said that the conservation and beautification of 150 ponds will be completed by December 2023, with plans to build 50-100 dams in 2023-2024. He thanked Dr Sawant for his positive support for the project and promised to provide uninterrupted water to locals as early as possible.
Dr. Chandrakant P. Shetye, MLA of Bicholim Constituency and Chairman of Infotech Corporation Ltd., expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister of Goa for his support in the project. He assured the residents of Sal village that they will not face flood problems once the project is completed. Another project, worth 90 crores will involve the construction of water tanks in Sal and nearby areas will start soon, he added.
Shri. Praveen P. Arlekar, MLA of Pernem Constituency and Chairman of Goa Handicrafts, Rural & Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd., highlighted the need for a protection wall near the river and the construction of a road from the Imbrampur side.
Shri. Sadanand Shet, Chairman of EDC, commended the Chief Minister and Minister Subhash Shirodkar for their support and initiative in this project.
Shri. Pramod Badami, Chief Engineer of WRD briefed about the project and its technicalities.
Shri. Pradeep Revodkar, Zilla Panchayat Member, Smt. Seema Khadpe Zilla Panchayat Member, Smt. Savitri S. Ghadi, Sarpanch, V. P. Sal, Shri. Ashok Dhavaskar, Sarpanch, V. P. Ibrampur, Shri. Padmakar Malik, Sarpanch, V. P. Latambarcem and Panch members of village panchayat Sal, Ibarmpur, and Latambarcem were also present at the function.