Panaji, Jun 22 (TOI): The water resources department (WRD) has decided to declare the area around Selaulim dam a 'no alcohol zone,' following several complaints of littering and miscreants creating ruckus.

Talking about the decision, water resources minister Vinod Palyekar said he had been receiving such complaints from people for quite some time.

"We were getting complaints that many people go there with alcohol and dispose the bottles at the site itself. The area was thereby getting littered. Apart from that, some people were also creating a menace in the area after getting drunk. We had appointed people around the dam to keep a check, but now, we will intensify it," Palyekar said, adding that he would visit the area in a few days.

The minister has directed officials to erect boards declaring the area a 'no alcohol zone'.

Confirming the minister's directive, WRD chief engineer Sandeep Nadkarni said the department would be sending a team of officials to check the situation at the Selaulim dam. "We will be creating a plan of action in the coming days to handle the situation. It is likely that the order may be implemented at other major dams across the state as well," Nadkarni said.

The 140-feet-high Selaulim dam is one of the main components of the Selaulim irrigation project and attracts a large number of tourists. The project provides 260 MLD (million litres per day) of water to Sanguem, Quepem, Salcette and Mormugao talukas.