VASCO
Work to de-silt the Velsao Lake (Velsao Pale Tolem) began on Friday for the first time in 20 years.
The work which is being undertaken by the WRD was launched by Cortalim MLA Anton Vas in the presence of Pale Tole Xetkaranche Association (PTXA) President Roquezinho D’Souza and other committee members.
Speaking to reporters, Cortalim MLA Anton Vas said the Velsao lake was not de-silted for a very long time and farmers had faced difficulties on account of this.
“The Hindu community also faced issues during immersion of Ganesh idols during Chaturthi as the water level was insufficient and the idols would resurface within a few days,” said Vas.
“The lake was full of muck and farmers could not get enough water when they grow brinjals in the fields. We decided to de-silt the lake through the WRD.”
“We have also taken up de-silting of the major Nullah in Cansualim near the panchayat, which would lead to flooding even in the panchayat office. We cannot place a JCB in this Nullah at all locations and so, we have begun from one location and will de-silt it with machinery at every location possible. Inaccessible areas will be de-silted manually,” Vas added.
PTXA President Roquezinho D’Souza said former MLA late Matanhy Saldanha had de-silted the lake around 20 years ago.
“At one time, the lake was so deep that people could drown here earlier, but today the water is barely an ankle to knee deep,” said D’Souza.
Cansaulim Sarpanch Savio Pereira said this is a major Nullah which starts from Cansualim market to the Velsao Lake.
