MARGAO
As government agencies descended again at Guirdolim-Chandor villages to ascertain the damage caused to water bodies and find out CRZ violations, if any, by the track doubling work, local villagers demand to know the fate of the report compiled by the Water Resources Department (WRD) which had nailed the railway authorities on the destruction caused to the water bodies, including age-old sluice gate at the track doubling site.
And, the villagers seemed to have every reason to raise questions on the fate of the WRD report as the ground reality remains unchanged. For, it’s now over nine months since WRD Executive Engineer, Ankush Gaonkar had prepared the report and submitted to the higher authorities, including the Collector, but neither have the sluice gates been reconstructed nor have the water bodies restored on the site.
A glance at the WRD report gives an insight into the extent of damage caused to the water bodies along the track doubling site. The report was categorical in stating that the nallah drain connecting the tributary of river Zuari has been damaged and needs to be restored.
Besides, it was also proposed by the WRD that the damaged sluice gate 1 and sluice gate 2 to be reconstructed along with connecting outlet.
The report proposed additional proposals to be undertaken by the Railways including desilting of the tributary of the river Zuari and stabilisation of banks.
That’s not all. The report has called for improvement to the existing pond in Survey No. 58. The WRD has further called for the improvement and desilting of the Nacasana tank in Survey No. 270, besides improvement to the flow in the nallah at downstream of Nacasana tank by desilting and stabilising the banks of the nallahs and drains.
Anti-coal activist, Felix Furtado, a resident of Chandor, however, pointed out that the residents have not come across any of these measures proposed by the WRD in its report dated February 12, 2021. “Another site inspection has taken place, but we are yet to see implementation of the proposals recommended by the Water Resources Department. Hope the authorities act on the last inspection report as well as the report of the latest inspection as and when it is compiled by the agencies,” Furtado said.
Tuesday’s inspection of the site was called by the villagers on the allegations that the track doubling work has been carried out without obtaining the CRZ permissions. In fact, the villagers pointed out that the railway works have been carried out on the right side of the track, where a tributary of river Zuari has been noticed, which is under the influence of tidal effect.
Says activist Abhijit Prabhudesai: “Besides the damage caused to the water bodies and sluice gates, villagers have raised the question of CRZ violations by the Railways. Let the authorities, which conducted the inspection, tell the villagers whether the railway work has been carried out after obtaining CRZ clearances.”
Rs 2.98 cr sanction for restoration works already granted: RVNL
MARGAO: General Manager (Projects) Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. Shashibhushan Sahoo has said the Railways have already granted sanction for works amounting to Rs 2.98 crore at the Guirdolim-Chandor track doubling site.
In fact, Sahoo said the RVNL has accepted the report submitted by the Water Resources Department on the damage caused to the water bodies and the sluice gates. “During a meeting with the South Goa district Collector, the Railways had agreed to bear the cost of the restoration work. When the WRD had prepared the estimates worth around Rs 2.98 crore, the RVNL had agreed to bear the cost,” he said.
Sahoo further pointed out that the WRD will take up the work of restoration of the water bodies as a depository work. “Sanction order from the RVNL to bear the cost of the works amounting to Rs 2.98 crore had come long back,” he said.
WRD says proposal sent for expenditure sanction
MARGAO: Water Resources Department (WRD) Executive Engineer Ankush Gaonkar has said the department has sent the proposal for the restoration of the water bodies at Guirdolim/Chandor for expenditure sanction.
Gaonkar pointed out that it is just a matter of time before the WRD takes up the work as the Railways have sanctioned the funds for the restoration work.
In fact, he said the work on the restoration of the water bodies should hopefully start before the election code of conduct is enforced in the State. “The proposal for the restoration of the water bodies has been sent for expenditure sanction. No sooner the sanction is received, work on the project will start at the site,” Gaonkar added.
