SANGUEM
Villagers in Cotarli, Sanguem, have raised concerns over the placement of a temporary wooden fence by the Water Resources Department (WRD) along the Selaulim Canal. While they welcome the initiative to improve safety”especially after a series of drowning incidents”they say the current installation is causing inconvenience by narrowing the existing service road.
Over the years, several drowning cases have occurred at the canal, most recently the death of 57-year-old Prakash Gaonkar earlier this month. The tragedy intensified calls for urgent safety measures. The presence of a nearby primary school has further heightened the need for action.
In response, Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai assured villagers that their concerns would be addressed within eight days. Soon after, the WRD began installing side barriers along the canal.
However, the temporary wooden fence is reportedly being placed on the already narrow service road, significantly reducing its width. Villagers say this has made it difficult to manoeuvre vehicles and could hamper emergency response, especially for ambulances and fire services.
While residents appreciate the WRD’s prompt response, they are requesting that the fencing be shifted further inward, away from the edge of the road. They stress that the placement of permanent steel barriers must take into account road usability and emergency access.
The villagers have also called for greater involvement in the decision-making process to ensure the final solution balances safety needs with practical concerns related to daily use of the road.
