MAPUSA
After the city fathers of Mapusa and locals recently forced the work on the ongoing construction of a culvert on Tar River along the NH66 to be stopped, the highway authorities have started de-silting part of the Tar River.
Earthmoving machinery was deployed along the NH66 and work was seen taking place at a hot pace at the site to remove the debris dumped in the river.
Mud and concrete blocks made their way into the river while demolishing the old culvert blocking the smooth flow of the water of River Tar.
Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Shubanghi Vaigankar expressed happiness that the highway contractor has finally started the work to remove the debris from the river.
She said 75 per cent of the debris has been removed from the river and the flow of water has also been restored.
“We shall carry out another inspection at the site and only after we are satisfied with the de-silting work will we allow the highway officials to continue with the construction of the culvert,” Vaigankar said.
It may be recalled, local councillor, Prakash Bhivshet and some locals had recently stopped the work on the culvert on River Tar accusing the contractor of proceeding with the construction work without removing the debris from the river.
They claimed that the contractor had dumped debris in the river during the construction work and had failed to remove it while proceeding ahead with the work.
Later, Chairperson of the Mapusa Municipal Council, Shubanghi Vaigankar and her deputy, Chandrashekar Benkar also rushed to the site to take stock of the situation.
A PWD (NH) engineer informed that the contractor has removed most of the debris accumulated in the river.
“Along with the debris, the accumulated silt has also been removed thereby increasing the depth of the river. The flow of water is much smoother and faster now,” he informed.
He said now the work on the construction of the culvert will soon be taken by the contractor.
