Panaji: The work of Tillari canal repairs scheduled to begin from Oct 1 has been deferred, water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar said on Saturday. Water supply from Tillari canal to Goa was to be shut for three months from Oct 1 to Dec 31, allowing Maharashtra to carry out major, long-pending repair works on the canal. However, Shirodkar said that the work has been deferred as alternative supply planned for Goa during this period will take more time to be streamlined.Tillari canal repair work is now expected to begin around March, said Shirodkar.“We were to stop water flow from Tillari to allow repair of the left-bank and right-bank canals. The alternative system for water supply we had planned will take another two months to be streamlined. The work will now start around March. The work requires around three months for repairs to be completed. If they start in March, they will be able to complete the work by May,” he said.The minister said that it is planned to start repairs of one canal first.“We are planning to start work on the right-bank canal first. I will physically inspect and review the alternative supply plan on Oct 7. Only if I am convinced, I will give approval for the work,” said Shirodkar.The minister had earlier said that during Tillari canal closure period, alternative supply will be provided through the new pumping facility and pipeline laid down recently from Amthane to Cunchelim.Around 20-22 km of the canal from Tillari reservoir to Dodamarg on the Maharashtra side is in need of major repairs. Goa will pay 75% of the repair cost, while 25% will be borne by Maharashtra, with around Rs 1.8 crore spent on the repairs.Water from Tillari is supplied to the talukas of Pernem, Bicholim and Bardez. Though the canal would be shut for short periods every winter for repairs, it could not be shut down for the entire period required to carry out the major repairs needed due to lack of an alternative supply arrangement to these three talukas.Now that the new pipeline has been laid from Amthane to Cunchelim, the pending Tillari canal work can be taken up.Once the major repairs of Tillari canal are complete, frequent canal breaches are expected to end.The entire length of Tillari canals from the reservoir in Maharashtra is around 150 km. The canals were constructed 20-25 years ago. Tillari irrigation project was constructed in Dodamarg jointly by Maharashtra and Goa govts to meet the requirements of both states.
