Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira inaugurating development works at Panarim in Aldona on Wednesday. Local panchayat member and WRD engineers were also present.
MAPUSA
Development works will be undertaken in Aldona constituency with speed and without any discrimination, said Carlos Ferreira, Aldona MLA while applauding the water resources minister for taking up works in the constituency within short notice.
Ferreira, on Wednesday, also said that he would discuss with the local comunidade and the farmers on developing the picturesque area in Panarim into a tourism spot.
“In less than a month, the work order has been issued and work has commenced. The pathway, which was earlier used for bringing farming machinery like harvesters will be rebuilt as it has collapsed. The retaining wall has also been damaged. This will benefit the farmers. Desilting of the water body along the fields is also being considered in the next phase. The estimated cost of the work is Rs 5 lakhs and it will be completed within 30 days," Ferrier said.
The Aldona MLA was speaking at the inauguration of the work to improve the retaining wall and footpath along the fields at Panarim, Aldona.
Continuing, Ferreira said that Water Resources Minister Subhasn Shirodkar had conducted a site inspection of the area on December 1 where farmers had put forth their grievances before him and within weeks the work was sanctioned.
He further said that a proposal to develop the picturesque area in Panarim into a tourism spot will also be explored in consultation with the farmers and comunidade for the benefit of the villagers.
Aldona panchayat member of Ward 5 Harish Mayekar thanked the MLA for pursuing the matter with the WRD department as well as the officials and engineers.
“Heavy machinery could not be brought here. This work will benefit the farmers. We are also awaiting the work order of the nullah work. There is also a need for desilting the stream as flooding of the fields takes place during monsoon," Mayekar said.
Gopikant Shirodkar, a local farmer said that the pathway was built 12 years ago and due to lack of maintenance, some portions of the pathway had collapsed.
“Apart from using the pathway for bringing machinery, the farmers also use it for sun drying the paddy. We thank the MLA for initiating the work," he said.
