THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Angry residents of Aravale-Cortalim on Wednesday afternoon blocked roads for some time after heavy rains caused flooding in the area.
Several residents complained that water had entered their houses and there were unconfirmed reports of compound walls collapsing as well.
Several agitated residents of Aravale also approached the panchayat and complained that rain water had entered their houses since drainage works had not been taken up properly, despite several inspections by MLA Alina Saldanha and DBL officials.
According to sources, several agitated fisherwomen also approached the panchayat after the old fish market along with some residential houses in low-lying areas of Cortalim were flooded.
When contacted, Cortalim Dy Sarpanch Raymond De Sa said several inspections conducted by MLA Alina Saldanha had failed miserably.
“This year, the PWD had not undertaken work to de-silt the nullah. This was bound to happen. Several inspections and subsequent assurances made by the MLA and DBL have fallen flat and people are facing severe hardships. Today, angry villagers don’t approach the MLA or DBL but march into the panchayat and we have to face them for the failures of MLA and DBL.” said De Sa.
Cortalim Panch Antonio Joao Fernandes said the main reason for the flooding was due to the clogged drainage near the old fish market, which was filled by plastic, silt and other solid
waste.
“The compound wall of one resident had collapsed after becoming weak due to water clogging,” Fernandes said.
Fernandes said Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha later visited the spot along with PWD and DBL officials, while labourers were deployed to clear the clogged drain.
