'BJP not against Middle Vaitarna, but villagers must get water'

Thane, Apr 14 (UNI) The district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has said it is not opposed to the construction of the Middle Vaitarna Dam here, but it should be ensured that the tribal talukas of Sahapur and Mokhada get adequate water.

Thane district BJP chief Chintaman Wanga and senior party leader Om Prakash Sharma, while addressing a joint press conference here today, rued that usually villagers who help in building mega projects, are deprived of even a drop of water.

Both asserted that the BJP was not against provision of additional water to Mumbai but the requirements of the vilagers should be planned in advance.

Adv Wanga informed that a ''Pani Parishad'' will be hosted on April 24 at Kacholi Village in Mokhada taluka where the dam is to be built. Work on construction of the dam, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 3,500 crore, is likely to start in May next year and is scheduled to be completed by 2010.

Adv Wanga said that although there are already three dams in Sahapur taluka, the water from these dams are supplied to Mumbai and the locals are left thirsty.

UNI