the goan I network
CANACONA
Canacona taluka is all set to receive a major grant of Rs 35 crore from the World Bank to erect Bundhs on either side of the Galgibaga river, to protect the area from floods following the major Canacona floods in 2009.
A public consultancy was convened at the Poinguinim Panchayat Hall on Tuesday, with officials explaining plans and drawings of the project to stakeholders concerned.
The project is considered to be a first of its kind to ensure protection from floods on either sides of the
Galgibaga river.
According to the Water Resources Department and TERI, Bundhs of about 3.5 kms each on either sides of Galgibaga river on the Poinguinim (Poingujinim bazaar) and Galgibaga (Katiebhag) sides will be constructed using Basalt rocks in Gabion style.
Officials from WRD and TERI informed the stakeholders the cost is estimated to be Rs 35 crore, which may extend up to Rs 40 crore, within the project to be completed by May 31, 2021.
Soon after the 2009 Canacona floods devastated the taluka and flooded the Talpona and Galgibaga rivers, the project proposed under the Disaster Management plan was accepted and approved by the World Bank for grants, informed the officials.
Stating that the project had to be completed by May 31, 2021, failing which the grant from the World Bank would have to be refunded, officials sought the cooperation of locals and all 115 stakeholders by extending their NOCs and other requirements, so that the work could begin as quickly as possible and completed on time.
WRD Assistant Engineer Mohan Kambli, Junior Engineers Joel Fernandes, Merwyn Caldeira, Gauri Sawant and Vithila Bhat were present, while officers from TERI Shalita Dourado, Shubham Gude and Santosh Gad interacted with several stakeholders present at the meeting.
Canacona Jt Mamlatdar John Fernandes, Forest Officer Yeshwant Gaonkar, Poingujinim Sarpanch Jagdish Gaonkar, panch Ramdas Pujari and a group of locals from Poingujinim were also present at the meeting.
