Margao: The water resources department (WRD) committed to conducting a PowerPoint presentation on the controversial Mirabag (Sanvordem) bandhara project before the villagers by Feb 28, while also inviting suggestions and objections from residents. However, protesters refused to relent, vowing to continue their agitation until the project was completely scrapped.In a letter dated Feb 13, the executive engineer of the works division XII wrote to the deputy collector of Sanguem that the public hearing and presentation would be held before the Feb 28 deadline, as directed by water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar. The letter assured that no construction activities would commence at the Mirabag barrage site, and no pipeline laying would occur prior to the public hearing.The deputy collector of Sanguem, Milindra Velip, subsequently requested protesters to call off their agitation based on the WRD’s assurances. However, villagers maintained their uncompromising position.“Based on the letter from the WRD, the deputy collector requested us to call off our protest. But the villagers are firm on their stance— they will continue with the agitation until the project is scrapped,” said Sanket Bhandari, representing the villagers.Bhandari also raised serious concerns about discrepancies in the official communication, pointing to what he called evidence of irregularities in the project. “We noticed another discrepancy in the letter, which confirms the apprehensions of the villagers that the project is a fraud on the people of Mirabag. When the tenders were issued for a 50 MLD barrage, the letter speaks of 60 MLD. Who authorised this 10 MLD increase and when?” he questioned.He added, “There will be no let-up in our protest. Barrage or pumping station— we want nothing built on the river that would pose a threat to our homes.”The protest, which entered its fifth day on Saturday, has been marked by overwhelming participation from people of Mirabag and surrounding villages.
