OLD GOA
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar has demanded that the government releases funds to build the outer bundhs in his constituency so that the inner bundhs get protection and stop constant breaches.
Borkar made the statement when The Goan questioned him about the constant breaches in the Azossim bundh, which has resulted in the gushing of saline water inland and posing threats of flooding some houses.
“The Azossim bundh was taken up for repairs by the tenants association at a cost of Rs 11 lakh as it had multiple breaches but one such breach got washed away during repairs,” said Borkar.
“This being an internal bundh has to face the blunt force of the water directly in the absence of the outer bundh. There is a need to build outer bundhs so that the inner bundhs get protection. Otherwise, there is no point in repairing the breaches in the inner bundhs, as such incidents will occur time and again,” the MLA opined.
“During monsoon, the situation worsens as the water level rises and threatens to flood some low-lying houses,” Borkar informed.
Borkar further stated that he had raised the issue in the Assembly in which he had sought a financial package to strengthen the outer bundhs.
“However, I was mocked at and the result is that breaches in the inner bundhs have become a common thing,” he added.
Further, Borkar stated that he recently met the Agriculture Director Neville Alphonso and urged him to get the work on the outer bundh tendered.
“The tender on the outer bundh was approved but the work order was not sanctioned. It has been happening time and over again due to which the inner bundh is developing the breaches,” Borkar stated.
Finally, he demanded that the government should sanction the funds to build the outer bundhs so that the inner bundhs get protection.
“If the outer bundhs are built the inner bundhs will get protected and the khazan land can then be revived for farming,” the MLA said.
