PANAJI
Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has said that they have halted black topping and completion of two road stretches in Panaji in order to undertake comprehensive cleaning and restoration of old Portuguese era drainage systems to mitigate flooding challenges in Central Panaji.
The two drains, on Governador Pestana Road, a 360 metre stretch extending from Panaji Market to the Old Education Department Building (a drain of approximately 90 cm in width and 1.2 m deep) as well as on Cunha Rivara Road, a 200 metre segment from Church Square to Customs House ( an old drain of approximately 90 cm width and of varying depth of 1 to 1.5m depth ) are being desilted, strengthened and restored, informed Smart City officials.
The Pestana road drain, situated partly along the road and partly within the footpath, is being revamped to improve storm water flow and alleviate waterlogging in the vicinity.
This Cunha Rivara drain, previously obstructed by a surface drain wrongly constructed above it, is being rehabilitated to ensure the smooth flow of storm water from the Church Square area to DB Road, thereby addressing waterlogging concerns near Church Square.
These are old Portuguese era drains, which once served as vital conduits for storm water from the Altinho hill slopes and various areas in Panaji to the River Mandovi. Road work along this stretch had been stopped to allow uncovering of the drain.
The ongoing works entail the desilting and refurbishment of two critical stretches of roads in Central Panaji, where the historic drains have been uncovered and cleared of decades of accumulated silt.
These drains, buried beneath layers of neglect and debris, are being meticulously restored to their original function, aiming to alleviate flooding and ensure efficient drainage during heavy rainfall events.
