Alertness of WRD engineers saves government Rs 38 crore
The State water resource department has decided to haltrestoration of the Sinquerim-Candolim beach, after it was noticed that thebeach was getting restored slowly through a natural process.
In fact a tender floated to take up restoration work of theSinquerim-Candolim beach was later cancelled due to the alertness of the waterresource department engineers.
“Normally, work on beach restoration is carried out by usingtetra pods, as recommended by the Central Power and Water Research Station, Pune,”Chief Engineer of Water Resource Department, Sandip Nadkarni said.
In the case of Sinquerim-Candolim beach, the department hadfloated a tender and work order was to be issued, when the board of engineersdecided to go for second opinion, as the beach was of touristic importance,Nadkarni told The Goan.
“Now, we have decided to cancel the entire tender process,as the beach is in the process of regaining its beauty, naturally. The naturalrestoration process will take time, as damage caused during the last 12 yearscannot be restored within few months,” the chief engineer said.
By halting the restoration work of the beach the Statemanaged to save almost Rs 38 crore.
The presence of the ship, M V River Princess had affectedthe Sinquerim-Candolim beach stretch due to massive sand erosion causing damageto the shore.
The width of the beach was reduced drastically whichaffected the interest of local business.
In the previous government’s tenure the State government hadreceived grants from Centre of Rs 200 crore to restore beaches across theState.
Out of the Rs 200 crore, Rs 70 crore was decided to be spenton the removal of River Princess, while around Rs 75 crore was to be spent onrestoration of different beaches across the State, which was affected byerosion.
Local MLA, Micheal Lobo told The Goan that the waterresources department had informed him about plans to restore the beach.
“I was told similar work which was undertaken at Keri wouldbe taken up at Candolim. I was not in favour of the plan as the beach wouldhave lost its beauty. I met the concerned minister and requested him not totake up any wok, as the beach was getting restored naturally,” Lobo said.
