VALPOI: The members of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) along with other people protested to save river Mhadei on Sunday at Ustem, Valpoi.
Former deputy chief minister Sudin Dhavlikar said that the Central government has played games with Goa and supported Karnataka just because there was elections in that State. "If Mhadei river water is diverted the people of Goa will face dire consequences," he said.
Sudin said that, "when it comes to Mhadei river he will even support the chief minister of Goa in the good cause to save river Mhadei. I congratulate and thank the governor of Goa for taking Mhadei river issue seriously and appealing everyone to come together to save Mhadei river," he said.
Sudin further said that the Mhadei river issue should not be like mining issue where the government is seen assuring the people on several occasions that the mining will start in Goa but till date they failed to resume mining.
Former Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal said that if Mhadei water is diverted the sea water will rise which will affect the environment and the public. He appealed the people to support them to save river Mhadei. "If Mhadei river is diverted then the cultivations of poor farmers will be affected, it will become difficult for animals to survive," Sawal said