Mapusa municipal body urged to fast-track pre-monsoon works

ACCOUNTABILITY CALL: TFM members submit a memorandum to Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Priya Mishal on Monday. Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar was also present.

Members of the civil group Together for Mapusa (TFM) on Monday met officials of the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), urging immediate and effective execution of pre-monsoon works to prevent a repeat of last year’s flooding across the town.

Led by its president Mahesh Rane, the delegation met MMC Chairperson Priya Mishal and Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar and submitted a memorandum highlighting key civic concerns.

The group stressed the need for timely desilting of drains, gutters and nullahs, regular monitoring of works, and targeted preventive measures in flood-prone areas.

Rane said Mapusa had historically not witnessed flood-like situations, but last year’s monsoon saw large parts of the town inundated due to delays and alleged negligence in carrying out essential pre-monsoon works.

“This alarming situation endangered lives and caused extensive damage to property, resulting in significant hardship to residents, shopkeepers and the general public,” he said.

According to TFM, the failure to initiate and complete critical works on time – particularly the desilting and cleaning of drainage systems – was a major contributing factor to the flooding.

The group has demanded that the civic body begin work immediately and ensures thorough and time-bound execution with strict supervision.

Apart from flooding concerns, TFM also raised issues affecting the Mapusa market, including alleged high-handedness by vendors and the need for better regulation of market activities.

In a separate representation to the Mamlatdar, the group flagged what it described as an illegal filling of a nullah constructed by the Water Resources Department (WRD) to prevent flooding in market.

TFM alleged that garbage was being dumped into the nullah, leading to its blockage.

The group warned that such actions could aggravate flooding in the upcoming monsoon and severely impact the Mapusa market. It has urged authorities to immediately halt the activity, restore the nullah for smooth water flow, and initiate action against those responsible.

Responding to the concerns, Mishal informed the delegation that the WRD has been notified and is expected to begin desilting of nullahs from April. She added that the MMC has already floated tenders for desilting drains in the market and various wards.

Chief Officer Shetkar, meanwhile, sought the cooperation of the market committee and civil groups in tackling illegal activities within the market.

TFM General Secretary Jitesh Kamat, Treasurer Rajesh Marathi and other members were also present during the meeting.