the goan I network
MARGAO
Stink pervades along the River Sal course between Khareband to Benaulim as the National highway has blocked the free flow of river water at the Navelim-Benaulim point to begin construction work on the Western bypass.
Residents of the nearby River Sal estate attributed the water stagnation and stink in the river to the damming of the river course near the site where the national highway is building a culvert over the river to make way for the bypass in order to connect the Navelim stretch of the bypass to Benaulim.
When The Goan team visited the Navelim-Benaulim point of the river on Monday, it found that the course of the river has been blocked at the site. The highway contractor has diverted the river course by a few meters towards the west. Two pipes were found laid at the site for the river water to flow, but the river water was found flowing only from one of the two pipes.
As a result, the water flow in the river appeared to have been hampered between Khareband bridge and the Navelim-Benaulim site, emanating foul sewage odour and causing nuisance to the residents inhabiting the river banks.
Residents from the river Sal estate told The Goan that they have been facing the brunt of the stink since the last couple of days because of the damming of the river course at the Navelim-Benaulim site.
“Many a storm water nullah and drain from neighbouring Margao carry raw sewage and waste water into the river Sal along the course. By damming the river stretch to facilitate the western bypass, the residents are forced to bear the stink from the river,” complained a resident.
What’s interesting is that the residents have no idea how long will they have to contend with the stinking environment for no fault of theirs.
“The authorities should understand that Sal is a river and not a stream. The water comes right from Verna and Nuvem and any damming of the river is bound to lead to stagnation resulting in a foul odour,” remarked another resident.
They pointed out that even if the national highway contractor had to dam the river flow at the point to carry out the works, the work should be expedited and completed within a specified time frame so that the course of the river may be restored.
The ground reality, however, looks otherwise. With the slab on the culvert at the Navelim-Benaulim river Sal point yet to fall in place, questions are being raised whether the river will continue to be blocked and diverted to facilitate the works.
When The Goan contacted, PWD, NH Executive engineer, Laxmikant Naik to shed light on the blocking of the river Sal, the engineer said he would look into the matter. “The contractor had laid two pipes for the smooth flow of river water at the point. I will check with the contractor and if need be, additional pipes will be laid at the site to facilitate smooth flow of water,” Naik said.
