A JCB pressed into service to clear the silt in the culverts linking the flood-prone Tolleaband-Benaulim water body to the River Sal.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Ahead of the ensuing monsoons, the authorities have finally started the work of the de-silting of the culverts and the water channels, connecting the flood-prone Tolleaband water body to the adjoining River Sal at Benaulim.
Farmers welcomed the desilting work, but made a plea to the government to implement the recommendations of the Union Surface Transport Ministry’s expert R K Pandey for a comprehensive drainage plan around the flood plains of Benaulim and Khareband.
The desilting work is being executed by the Water Resources Department (WRD) upon instructions from the district authorities to clear the culverts of the silt, besides the water channel, linking Tolleaband to the river Sal.
A delegation of Benaulim farmers cultivating fields at Tolleaband led by Raymond D’Costa and Miguel had approached the Benaulim village panchayat, besides other authorities with a plea to at least desilt the culverts linking Tolleband to the river Sal.
Farmer Raymond told 'The Goan' that desilting of the culverts was a dire need for quick drainage of flood water from the Tolleabannd water body into the river Sal. “Even the Centre’s expert R K Pandey had recommended increasing the number of culverts on the Benaulim-Varca road running parallel to the Tolleaband water body. But since there’s hardly any time to put in more culverts, with work on a culvert underway near Mercado mall, de-silting of the existing culverts was required badly with monsoons round the corner,” he said.
Raymond, however, hastened to add that the government should immediately put into effect the comprehensive drainage plan around Benaulim-Khareband flood-prone area as recommended by Pandey. “This plan should be implemented post monsoons so that there is no flooding at the Benaulim-Khareband area next monsoons," he added.
Besides desilting the river Sal and strengthening the bunds with retaining walls, Pandey had recommended increasing the number of culverts on the Benaulim-Varca road running parallel to the Tolleaband water body for quick drainage of flood water into the adjoining river Sal.
