A fresh notification has been issued by the Command Area Development Authority under the State Water Resources Department regarding the Tillari Irrigation Project. As per the notification, an additional 29,29,677 sq. metres of land will be brought under the irrigation command area, while 3,65,338 sq. metres of land has been recommended for exclusion.

Significantly, nearly 3,33,805 sq. metres of land at Dhargal purchased by Deltin Corp and approved by the Investment Promotion Board for a proposed “Casino City” project has been recommended for removal from the irrigation command area.
The notification was issued on February 26, 2026, by S.S. Gill (IAS), Secretary, Water Resources Department and Chief Executive Officer of the Command Area Development Authority. The public has been given 30 days to file suggestions and objections. Submissions can be made at the Office of the Superintending Engineer, Circle-II, Water Resources Department, Karaswada–Mapusa.

New Inclusion of Corgao and Palyem

The Tillari Irrigation Project covers areas in Pedne, Bicholim and Bardez talukas, primarily benefiting 16 villages in the Pedne constituency where irrigation canals have been constructed to varying extents. In 2024, the government approved a 264.86 crore development plan for the project aimed at expanding irrigation coverage and encouraging farmers to bring more land under cultivation. Under the new proposal, corgao and Palye villages are set to be newly included in the command area with Palyem – 2,29,658 sq. m, Corgao – 15,14,130 sq. m and Additional land in Pedne – 3,29,954 sq. m. In total, 20,73,742 sq. metres of additional land from Pedne taluka will come under irrigation coverage.
However, farmers point out that Tillari canals do not currently exist in Corgao and Palyem. They allege that instead of repairing poorly constructed canals and addressing water leakages in existing areas, where fields remain fallow despite canal access the department plans to build new canals, potentially leading to fresh large-scale expenditure.

Additional Land from Mayem

In Bicholim taluka, approximately 8,55,935 sq. metres of land in Mayem village will also be brought under irrigation. No additional land from Bardez taluka is proposed for inclusion.

Large-Scale Exclusions Raise Eyebrows

There has reportedly been increasing demand to remove lands from the Tillari irrigation command area. Under Section 39(A) of the Town and Country Planning Act, several lands within the irrigation zone have been approved for change of Zone ultimately opened for conversion. Similarly, the Investment Promotion Board has cleared multiple investment projects within such areas. Farmers allege that while new agricultural lands are being shown as added to the irrigation zone, several prime lands are simultaneously being excluded including the substantial parcel belonging to Deltin Corp at Dhargal. They claim this move creates an impression that only around 3 lakh sq. metres are being removed, while over 29 lakh sq. metres are being added effectively masking the systematic exclusion of high-value project land.
Farmers have strongly criticized what they describe as a “calculated strategy” by the department, alleging that the reshuffling of land classifications is aimed at facilitating private commercial interests rather than strengthening irrigation infrastructure.

Land Proposed for Inclusion in Irrigation Zone:

Mayem – 8,55,935 sq. m

Pedne – 3,29,954 sq. m

Corgao – 15,14,130 sq. m

Palyem – 2,29,658 sq. m

Land Proposed for Exclusion:

Dhargal – 3,39,655 sq. m

Torxem – 65 sq. m

Bardez – 13,358 sq. m

Bicholim – 12,260 sq. m