MARGAO
Beleaguered Benaulim farmers cultivating the fields at Tolleaband lake have made a fervent plea to the authorities to clean the debris from the water channels connecting the fields to the River Sal.
With dark clouds hovering over the sky ahead of the monsoons, farmers lamented that the government has not put in place the drainage works at Benaulim-Khareband to contain flooding.
“At least, the authorities should get the culverts on the Benaulim-Varca road and their channels connecting the river Sal needs to be cleaned up for smooth flow of water from the Tolleaband water body into the adjoining river”, remarked Raymond, a farmer cultivating the Tolleaband fields.
Raymond welcomed the de-weeding of the river Sal at the initiative of Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas. He, however, said the culverts on the Benaulim-Varca road near Mercado mall and the water channels connecting these culverts to the river should be immediately de-silted and the debris lifted away.
“This measure, though temporary, should be put in place as a stop gap measure, pending the implementation of the comprehensive drainage plan”, Raymond added.
