PONDA, March 6 -- Foundation stone was laid for construction of barrage and up-gradation of raw water pumping station on Mhadei River at Usgao-Ganjem for augmentation of raw water for Opa water works, on Tuesday.

Minister for Water resource Vinod Palyekar and Minister for Health Vishwajit Rane laid the foundation stone. Chief Engineer Sandeep Nadkarni said that the cost of project is Rs 100 crore.

Nadkarni said that the Department took up the project in 2006 for interlinking the Ganjem and Opa River. Under this, 35 MLD water of Ganjem River is supplied to Opa River, but due to growing population, Opa still faces water shortages from mid-November to June.

"Therefore, it is now proposed to provide adequate quantity of raw water at Opa Trea...