Chief ministerPramod Sawanton Sunday laid the foundation stone for a Rs 16-crore project to pump outwaterin the pits of closed mines, stagnated over the years, and utilize it for agricultural purposes.
Ceremonies were held at Surla and Velguem in Bicholim for the project. It would benefit around 1,000 farmers in the mining belt.
Sawant said the government aims to bring in the state by launching this first of its kind project across the country.
Chief minister informed that the water stagnated in about 10mining pitswould be more than the availability in Anjunem dam reservoir. If this water is channeled using modern techniques, around 350-hectare area will come under the green zone, he said.
Sawant announced that the project will be funded through the district mineral fund.