MAPUSA
Bowing to the demands of the locals, the Mapusa Municipal Council along with a few state departments conducted an inspection of a construction project coming up in the fields at Zamucalim, Mapusa vis-Ã -vis the threat of flooding in the area but the key public works department (PWD), national highway (NH) and NGPDA authorities gave the inspection a miss.
According to the locals, the rain water that flows in the area was earlier getting drained off through a piped outlet that runs below the new national highway (NH66) at Karraswado junction in Mapusa.
They said that before work on the construction of the NH66 was taken up, the PWD and the NH authorities were apprised of the issue and the officials had assured to take proper measures to allow the water to drain off.
“The PWD and the national highway officials failed to keep their word and have constructed the highway without making proper provision for rain water to drain off. The earlier pipes placed across the highway are small and choked and are impossible to clear,” said Benny Fernandes, a local resident.
“To make matters worse, the MMC has given permission for a construction project in the fields which acted as water retention area,” he added.
He said the Monday’s inspection was eyewash, as the two crucial departments of PWD and NH were not present at the site.
“The issue is with what is underneath the highway. Some are saying that the pipes meant to drain off the water are small…It’s a big task. The municipality will not have the funds to do the work. The onus is on the PWD and the NH,” said Fernandes, who is spearheading the protest.
He said the builder of the construction project who was present for the inspection has agreed to build a nullah for water to pass within his property but further on the State departments will have to take over.
“We have a hearing over the matter on March 24 in the municipality. The entire village will assemble in the municipality on that day,” Fernandes said.
It may be recalled, the locals had handed a memorandum to the municipality on March 8 objecting to the new construction in the property bearing P T Sheet No 30, Chalta No 29/42 and 30/3 in Ward 4 of the MMC.
The residents had claimed that during the monsoon water accumulated in the area as the access to the flow of water was blocked.
