The state of River Sal covered by a thick carpet of water hyacinth weed.
MARGAO
With pre-monsoon showers lashing the state in the last few days, the government has finally kick-started the exercise to de-weed the River Sal – covered with a thick carpet of the water hyacinth weed along the Benaulim-Khareband river stretch.
A mechanical Aquatic weed harvester, having 1.8 ton holding capacity, was spotted working round the clock in the river Sal along the Benaulim stretch on Tuesday, as part of the three-year river Sal maintenance contract.
With the latest weed harvester on the job to de-weed the river Sal, it is expected that the mechanical weed harvester will cover and de-weed the river at least two kilometre around mid-June, when the heavy monsoon hits the state.
This is the third year in succession that the river Sal, which was de-silted by the Water Resources department, is being de-weeded as per the annual maintenance contract.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, who supervised the de-weeding activity, admitted that the work has started a little bit late on account of the election code of conduct. He, however, exuded confidence that a two-kilometre stretch of the river will be de-weeded by mid-June, which will ensure quick flow of rain water.
Slamming the government for ignoring the rivers, creeks and water bodies, Venzy said the government has allowed the water bodies to rot and decay on the plea it has no money for the maintenance. “After my election as Benaulim MLA, I had taken up the issue of river Sal pollution. Still, the government seems not serious in addressing contamination of the river. Millions of litres of sewage water is entering the river from Margao and Khareband for want of any treatment facility”, he said.
