MARGAO
One of the reasons suspected behind the collapse of the embankment was the de-silting of the River Sal along the 5-km Khareband-Telaulim stretch.
A year down the line, a portion of the embankment at the Benaulim estate remains unattended till date though the Water Resources Department had restored two other portions along the river course last year.
With monsoon round the corner, residents of the Benaulim Estate have expressed fears that the embankment may collapse in the first rains itself when the River Sal flows in full spate. That fear has gripped the residents is understandable given that the adjoining roads has developed cracks, with locals apprehensive that not just the embankment, but the road may altogether disappear in the rains, thus posing danger to the adjoining residential houses.
That the site was even inspected by then chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar at the request of then Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva did not force the departments and officials concerned to strengthen the embankment and take up the restoration work.
Expectations that the South Goa District Disaster Management Authority headed by the District Collector would force the departments concerned to restore the embankment with a protective wall have all but evaporated. In fact, residents wonder why the disaster management has not got the departments concerned to take up the work of restoration on a war-footing before the onset of monsoons.
“We are thankful to the government for restoring the embankment at two places, but the third one has been left unattended. We only pray and hope that the authorities get their act together and get the embankment restored,” remarked a resident.
They have now pinned their hopes on Salcete’s lone minister, Vijai Sardesai, whose party leader and Siolim MLA Vinoda Paliencar, is presiding the affairs of the Water Resources Ministry.
“We hope that the TCP Minister takes note of the condition of the Sal embankment and uses his good offices to get the work done before the onset of monsoons,” remarked another resident.
